BOLD

As female athletes, there will come a time in our sport where we will need to be bold:

• Bold enough to take the last shot.
• Bold enough to want the last at-bat.
• Bold enough to tell your coach you are hurt or unwell.

But as a Christian female athlete, there will be times when God will give you an opportunity to use your sport to be bold for Him. Too often, we think our relationship with God is private, wanting to keep our relationship with God separate from our sport and team. But God encourages us to do the opposite, as it’s a part of His greater plan for our lives as Christ-followers.

When we are doing our sport, God expects us to use it as a platform for Him, not a pedestal for ourselves. But doing everything for God and His glory will take boldness from us. It will take boldness to compete hard but with humility. It will take boldness to share your faith with your words and show it with your actions.

There is a story in the Bible we can learn from when it comes to being bold in our faith in Christ. The story comes from Peter and John. Peter and John were two of Jesus’ disciples when they found themselves simply going to the Temple to take part in a prayer service.

Outside of the Temple was a beggar with a disability asking them for money, and although they didn’t have any money, they said, “But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’” — Acts 3:6 NLT

The crowds began to gather after seeing this miracle. Peter then made a bold decision to take this opportunity to preach the story of Jesus. Because Christians were persecuted at this time, Peter and John were arrested and brought up on blasphemy charges. In front of the religious council, Peter once again spoke boldly in the name of Jesus.

From this story, we can learn that it doesn’t take an extraordinary person to be bold, but an ordinary person who has been with Jesus. There was nothing “special” about Peter or John. They were simply ordinary people who had been doing life with Jesus and decided they were going to be followers of Jesus wherever they went.

It was risky during that time, but it wouldn’t be bold if it weren’t. Anytime you do something that takes courage, there’s always some risk involved. Peter and John risked going to jail for a long time. For us, we may risk rejection from teammates. But no matter the risk, God will be with us. After all, God never said boldness would be easy, but you better believe it will be worth it. God loves to take bold, ordinary people and use them to do extraordinary things. Imagine what He could do with you if you were bold for Him.

Talk About It:

As teammates, you can help each other learn the Truth about who you are as God’s daughters. The theory that there’s strength in numbers is supported in Scripture—starting with the Father Himself as One of Three—and it certainly applies to you in your quest to embrace who you really are. By joining forces with your teammates, you can multiply your strength and resources in the battle for your souls. As a group, let’s work through the following questions and activities together:

1. Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and Joshua 1:9.
2. According to these verses, what has God NOT given us as followers of Jesus?
3. According to these verses, what has God given us as followers of Jesus?

Prayer:

“Lord, thank You for the examples in Your Word of people being bold for You. Show me ways to be bold wherever I am in my walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”