More Than An Orange Ball In A Round Hoop

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

When asked what you seek, what first comes to mind? Your answer could be something along the lines of money, success, popularity. The list goes on. While these things give us satisfaction for a brief moment here on earth, what happens to them then? It’s easy to seek what you can physically see. This is when I’m reminded of Colossians 3:2 which says “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”. How often do you find yourself so consumed with the now? Why do you do the things you do? Are they to make your name more known or Jesus'? Being so focused and driven to achieve a goal you have created for yourself that will glorify your name above Christ’s is something that is so easy to get in the habit of or even do without being aware of it. How can we take things we love and use them to point others to a much greater purpose than ourselves? This is the question I asked ETBU sophomore basketball player Gracie Stephens.

Basketball has been an important part of Gracie’s life since first grade. At a young age and to a young kid, basketball really was just a game to her as it would be to a kid. Once getting saved it completely changed the game. A game once directed towards solely winning championships and getting trophies now turns into an opportunity and platform to share the gospel. When asked the question: “ How do you actively seek the kingdom and implement your faith through something as simple as playing basketball?” her response is this…

"It’s obvious that basketball has played a major role in my life and has consumed hours and hours of my time. For as long as I can remember I’ve grown up in the gym either watching my parents coach, watching my sisters play, or playing myself. School, summer, holidays.. We were playing basketball, no exception. And although I got saved at a very early age, it wasn’t until high school that I truly began to understand that sharing the gospel was to consume our everyday lives.. Including the time spent playing on the court. I began to see my team and the community that showed up every night to watch us as a mission field for the Kingdom. Whether this meant praying with the opposing team after every game or simply loving my team well, I wanted to be known as someone who was different. When refs made calls that didn’t go my way I don’t rage and have an attitude. When another team's player knocks me down for the 5th time and claps in my face, I simply get up... and the next play when she falls I help her up. When my teammate is going through a hard time and living in sin, I make the extra effort to encourage them and invite them to be around me so they feel welcomed and loved despite their rough edges. There really is no formula for how to be a Christian and athlete’... it's simply choosing Jesus to be Lord of your life every single day, and when you do that your priorities change. The desires of your heart are no longer as silly as throwing an orange ball in a round hoop, but rather showing lost people the love of Jesus."

"I view winning games as an opportunity to have a platform to share the gospel with more people, and I see losing games as an opportunity to show people that our identity isn’t in a sport we play but rather the one who has blessed us with the ability to run and jump and have community with one another. How cool that the Lord allows us to delight in the simple world of sports because it builds relationships, unlike any others we ever experience. How can we claim to love Jesus and NOT talk about him every chance we get with those he has placed us around for the given time?! If I win a championship during my time at ETBU, but my lost teammate leaves this place with a ring and no knowledge of my Savior, I have wasted 4 years of my life living in disobedience to the call of Jesus."

Gracie’s testimony is just one of many of that I’ve been able to hear and see lived out since becoming a believer. What you might see as just a sport or a job or school can actually serve such a greater purpose then what is right in front of you. Jesus changes everything. This is how believers are called to live. To set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. To live life with a greater purpose than just ourselves. To makes Jesus’ name known and to build up His Kingdom and not our own. This is how you actively seek the kingdom and implement our faith through something others might see as simple. The gospel is simple. Seek it. Live it. Share it.