Putting God First in Sports Is the Real Victory
- meetgodattheedgeof
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
A Testimony of Faith on the Competition Floor
Today’s testimony is brought to you by our Heavenly Father.
As some of you know, this past weekend we spent our time in Anaheim at a cheer competition. It was a long day—arriving around noon and not leaving until nearly 11:30 p.m. Almost twelve hours of loud music, standing, sitting, walking, and constant stimulation. It takes a toll on your body, but even more, it takes effort to keep your guard up and remember to glorify the Lord. Days like this remind me why putting God first in sports is the real victory.
It’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of competition and lose sight of what truly matters.
My wife is one of the head coaches in this Christian organization, and she absolutely loves it.
She gets to spend time with our daughter while also pouring into other girls who desperately need direction. These athletes range from ages five or six all the way through high school. For many of them, my wife may be the only example of Jesus they ever see.
Her commitment to introducing them to the Lord every chance she gets is incredible. If a girl is nervous, she stops and prays with her. If someone steps out of line, she uses biblical principles—not frustration—to guide them back where they need to be. This is what putting God first in sports looks like when faith is lived out under pressure.
Cheer is different than many other sports. These girls train hard for months—sometimes close to a year—for a routine that lasts only a couple of minutes. In that short window, they perform in front of thousands of people and dozens of judges. Just thinking about it makes me anxious. That pressure is exactly why putting God first in sports is the real victory, long before any scores are announced.
At this competition, the teams faced major setbacks. A couple of girls were out sick, and one became sick during the event. Training for months only to lose a key teammate is a big deal. Naturally, the girls were nervous and worried they might fail. They were blessed to find a fill-in athlete, but she had only a few practices to get up to speed. In moments like these, putting God first in sports means trusting God when plans change.
When my wife’s team was lined up to perform, I could see them behind the curtains from my seat. I was nervous, so I prayed that the Lord would protect them and bless their hard work and effort.
I turned to talk to my son, letting him know their team was coming up. When I looked back, I saw the most beautiful sight.
All of the cheerleaders were huddled together—my wife in the center—leading them in prayer.
My heart was full. All I could think was, “That is exactly what they need.” In that moment, it was clear that putting God first in sports is the real victory, no matter what happened next.
The girls ran out onto the floor, smiling and full of energy. The music started, and I watched my daughter and her teammates do things that honestly blew my mind. They did amazing.
When awards were announced, they worked their way through the placements. Third place wasn’t them. Second place wasn’t them. Then first place was called—and they won.
But the real victory had already happened.
They were blessed not just with a trophy, but with a lesson they’ll carry far longer: Lean on the Lord. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
That is why putting God first in sports is the real victory.
Thank You, Father, for one more day.
A Note From My Wife: Prayer Before the Floor
One of my favorite moments at every competition is the prayer we share before stepping onto the floor.
In the middle of the noise, pressure, and nerves, prayer gives us a sacred pause. It allows us to thank God for the opportunity to even compete—something we never want to take for granted. Putting God first in sports is the real victory, because it reminds us that this moment is bigger than scores, trophies, or routines.
Prayer helps our athletes remember they are not alone on the floor. Jesus is right there with them, calming their hearts and steadying their minds. When nerves rise, putting God first in sports helps us cast those worries aside and trust Him with the outcome.
When injuries happen, when illness strikes, or when nerves feel overwhelming, prayer settles us and refocuses our hearts on what truly matters. Putting God first in sports is the real victory because it shifts our focus from performance to purpose and reminds us that our identity is found in Christ—not in results.
When I have the privilege of leading the prayer, I always thank God for allowing us to represent Him and His kingdom on the floor. We never pray to win. We pray to honor Him. Putting God first in sports means choosing to represent Jesus in how we speak, how we respond, and how we treat one another.
That means showing respect.
That means choosing kindness.
That means loving each other well and being a light to everyone we encounter.
I am incredibly blessed that my love for cheerleading has been woven into this amazing Christian-based program. Being given the opportunity to minister, pray, and share God’s love with these girls throughout the year is a gift I do not take lightly. Putting God first in sports is the real victory, because it turns competition into worship.
Win or lose, prayer is always the victory—because when God is first, everything else falls into its rightful place.
