How can we serve God as a sports star?

Richard asks:

Dear Richard:

First thing to do is become one. Not an easy thing even if you have all the qualities in the world, it will take dedication and real love for what you are doing - as in everything that is worthwhile.

We serve God first by thanking him for the gifts he has given us. And the best way of thanking him is to use them to the utmost in the way God wants. Sport is wonderful, especially for the person who does it. You can give God praise in the sheer exhilaration and joy there is to playing, thanking him for your health and ability. You can offer him equally the joy of victory, the sting of defeat after doing your best, the bitterness of defeat when you didn't.

You can serve him in the joy and relaxation you give spectators. 'Whatever you do to one of these you do it to me.'

God loves to see us use his gifts. You can serve God and give him glory by becoming a better man through your sport: more honest, more disciplined, less self-centered. Especially nowadays if you hit the big-time you can serve God by preserving your integrity, avoiding the pitfalls that quick money can create, not succumbing to the glitz.

Role-model is not a cliche, it is a reality, and if God gives you the opportunity it is a heavy burden he is placing on your shoulders. You can inspire many young people if you are worthy of being on the wall of their den.

And now this applies to any talent we have, in any degree we have it (talent for sport, music, medicine, teaching, life itself...), we serve God best by being ready to put it in second place if there is something greater he wants us to do for his Kingdom.

God bless.