If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.
Eric Liddell
Earlier this year, we watched the Christian film Overcomer. It was about a troubled young girl who joined her school’s cross country team. She goes through a faith journey and finds her faith in Christ then strives to please Him in all she did, even in her sport. Although ridden with asthma, she wins victoriously in the end as the state champion, showcasing that through God we can be overcomers.
There is something about sports that translates into our spiritual reality. Paul the Apostle in the New Testament refers to the “runners” in the race and those who compete in the “games” as an imagery for the Christian life.1 Sports can be a powerful tool for character building and spiritual training for our children. However, the ultimate goal is to wield it in such a way not so that our child can become the next olympic athlete, but that he or she may rise up to be an overcomer in God’s Kingdom.
Even Athletes Grow Tired and Weary
The film was a good inspiring movie to me, nothing more. But we took the opportunity to teach the life lesson to our kids. I could tell our daughter Addie, a Level 4 gymnast, was inspired by this movie. She continued to listen to the songs “Overcomer” and “Stronger” by Christian singer Mandisa to keep herself motivated. One day, she asked me if anyone could be better than Simore Biles. Yes, I answered, someone who is extremely gifted can. Or someone who relies on God can. I explained to her that many gymnasts rely upon their own strength and might, but how much more can one gymnast (or anyone in life) accomplish if she relies upon the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6)?
Everything is possible for one who believes
Mark 9:23
We can infer, as in the case of Simone Biles in the 2020 Olympics, that at the peak of extreme pressure even the best of all athletes can break. It takes much more than mere physical ability to become an olympic gymnast. Her mental stamina and strength of character are also put to the test. When her fuel tank runs empty, there is One who can sustain her all the way to the end:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 39:29-31)
Overcoming Challenges Through Faith
I love sports for this reason. When our children face a physical challenge, they are given the opportunity to learn how to overcome. They are made aware of their own weaknesses and limitations and their need for outside help. This sets the stage perfectly for parents to step in and point them to Christ. We can start planting seeds of faith as we teach them to put their trust in Jesus to help them overcome their challenges. Teaching them to rely upon God in their sports can help lay the foundation in their faith to rely upon Him in everything they do.
This can also deepen their understanding of their need for salvation down the road. Having been primed by the challenges of sports, they can be readily made aware of their own weakness and limitations against the power of sin in their lives. Only Jesus Christ and His work on the cross can redeem them from their empty way of life.2 And by His grace they can learn to live a victorious Christian life. Only through Him can they truly be overcomers in the Kingdom of God.
Eric Liddel was a perfect example of a Christian athlete who competed in the 1924 Olympics. His main event was the 200 meter race. However, because he refused to compete on a Sunday, he instead raced in the 400m. He shocked the world by unexpectedly winning the Gold medal. When questioned how he did it, he said:
The secret of my success over the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then, for the second 200m, with God’s help I run faster.3
But what was even more impressive than his Olympic achievement was the extent of his spiritual athleticism. He forsook all the fame, wealth, and a life of luxury that came with his Olympic achievement for the sake of Christ and dedicated his life to missionary work in China. His biographer captures the summary of his life justly:
When war appeared on the horizon, he put his family on a boat to Canada, while he remained behind to help, eventually becoming interned at a Japanese work camp. There, he did what he was born to do: practice his faith and his sport. For the people around him, he became the moral center of an unbearable world...3
Liddel continued to endure unspeakable hardships, but with the help of his God, he was able to overcome.
Winning State
Addie is an ordinary girl aspiring to be an athlete. She had her own struggles this competitive season, especially with her vault. She fell on one occasion, hurting her wrist. As the state meet drew near, she developed achilles tendonitis in her right foot and had to keep off it for a week, taking away time that could be spent working on her skill. I just kept reminding her to rely on Jesus, that she can do all things through Him in life, and that ultimately it is God who gives us the ability (Psalm 18:29, v.34).
I didn’t know what to expect the morning we drove her to her state meet in Tennessee. You can just imagine my shock when I brought home the 2022 TN Level 4 State Champion later that day! She said she prayed before each event. It was by God’s grace that she overcame her weakness and scored high on vault. I couldn’t help but remember what Psalm 18:29 says, “By my God I can leap over a wall.” She scored first place all around with a 39.05. Moreover, she was’t scoring high enough throughout the season to make it in America’s top 100 Level 4 AA scores; however, after this event her score catapulted her to 3rd on the list! You can see her video here.
I marvel at how God made the story of an overcomer true in Addie’s life. I’m thankful for the opportunity her sport provides in shaping her faith and character. If your child is not active in any sports, you needn’t worry. Athletics are not the only platforms that can be used to develop our children’s character. Academics, volunteer projects, short-term mission trips, and youth organizations can also provide opportunities for character training. Remember, the end goal is not merely physical excellence but spiritual excellence. Like Eric Liddell, it’s my prayer that our children become champions in God’s Kingdom.
1 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2 1 Peter 1:18-19
3 Hamilton, Duncan. For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire. Penguin Books. New York, 2016.
