When the Lights Go Out

Every athlete and coach dreams of winning a championship, especially at the highest level. Many dedicate their entire life to the pursuit of their dream. They make sacrifices now, hoping it will be worth it later. In sports, it's widely believed that true happiness is only achieved after reaching a certain level of success. We believe that happiness will chase all other problems away.

In 2023, I did it. I was a World Series champion. I walked around the infield, taking in the scene. Confetti fell, people hugged loved ones, and music played through the stadium speakers. According to the world, this should be the highlight of my life. And yet, all I felt in that moment was emptiness.

My wife took a few photos of me with the trophy in my arms and the championship hat on my head. I shook a few hands and congratulated the guys on a remarkable achievement. But then, I just wanted to go home. I felt deflated. Could this be all there was?

When the celebrations quieted and the stadium lights dimmed, I spent some time in deep reflection with God. I knew my time in professional baseball was coming to a close. But even as that season ended, my greater purpose remained. Baseball did not define me.

Whether you are at the top of your game or the end of your sports career, God still has a calling on your life. This calling reaches far beyond the scoreboard.

Until our last breath, God is not done with us. Seasons come and go, but God never changes. We are valuable to God, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. God doesn’t discard us because we change directions in our life. He re-positions us for something new.

Challenge:

• Spend some time reflecting. In what ways have you tied your value in God’s eyes to what you do rather than who you are in Christ?

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to see this season not as an ending but a transition. Remind me that who I am in You is not limited to what I do on the field. Give me clarity, courage, and a renewed sense of purpose. Amen."

Athletes in Action helps athletes, coaches, and sports fans apply the Bible to their sport and also to their lives. We’ve created a page where you can explore more resources, discover other devotionals we’ve written, and take your next step in growing closer to God. Come by, take a look around, and say hello—we’d love to walk with you on the journey.