Eternal perspective

Eyes on the Ultimate Prize

"Will this championship matter in 10 years…or in eternity?"

Sports can teach us discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. But those traits are not our ultimate goal. Philippians challenges us to press on towards something else. Our ultimate prize isn’t a medal or a trophy– it’s eternity with Christ.

It’s easy to read a Bible verse and move on. But for athletes who’ve built their whole identity around sports, that’s not so simple. Over the past four days, we’ve looked at what it means to root your identity in Christ and compete for Him. We reflected on His faithfulness and the lies that hold us back. It is more than reciting Scripture—it takes letting God reshape how to live and see ourselves.

Satan often tempts us to rely on self-confidence or will power when faced with his lies and half-truths. The truth is we are not enough on our own. That is okay because we were never meant to be.

The beauty of the gospel is that it shifts the focus from our shortcomings to God’s limitless strength. Personal achievement is not the goal of sports. It is about how our athletic journey can glorify God. Every practice and every competition becomes an opportunity to lean into His strength. When we let His truth fill the gaps that our efforts can’t, we shine as a witness to others. Competing with this mindset frees us from the pressure of proving our worth. Our worth is already secure in Christ.

This freedom transforms how we view success and failure. Our identity is not defined by the outcome but defined by the One who walks with us. This mindset invites us to take our eyes off ourselves and place them back on God. Then we can use our influence to inspire others to pursue eternal rewards.

I know that leading someone to Christ through sports makes every hardship fade away. It brings a joy that outweighs any medal. Finding purpose in your sport transforms every aspect of life. Let purpose drive your passions–not the other way around.

Connection:

How can your athletic journey become part of a bigger story—one that points others to Christ? What steps can you take to focus on eternal rewards, even while striving for excellence in your sport?

Application Questions

• In what ways do today’s Scripture readings challenge you to think beyond your current goals?
• How can you use your platform as an athlete to share your faith with others?
• How can you run towards an eternal goal in a way that goes beyond just your sport?

Prayer:
“Father, thank You for the gifts, talents, and opportunities You’ve entrusted to me. Remind me daily that the overarching goal of my life is not my own success or recognition, but to honor You in all I do and to point others toward Your kingdom. Teach me to use my talents wisely, not for selfish desires, but for Your glory. May my life and my efforts serve as a testimony to Your goodness and faithfulness. Amen.”

Summary

The biblical story of Joseph has applications to the life of an athlete.

Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, had dreams of greatness and leadership as a young man. But his journey had hardships and setbacks. It is like an athlete's injuries or failures. He experienced bad calls and injustice. Despite the trials, Joseph trusted God, maintained his integrity, and continued to persevere.

Over time, Joseph’s faith and perseverance saw a reward. He rose to power and ultimately saved his family and many others from famine. Joseph understood that God was working, even when the path seemed unclear. Through it all, he gave glory to God.

Our prayer is that before, during and after your competition, you will have a similar perspective. Keep God's word in front of you and focus your eyes on Him!

Next Steps

Athletes in Action has other plans dealing with sports. You can use those plans to also equip you for competition. You can find those plans on the AIA Connection page in the Bible App. Click the "Follow" button to receive notifications of new content.

Take Action

If this devotional has encouraged you, we’d love to stay connected. 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.