We all want to appear like we have it all together…

Whether it’s in a pickup game with friends or in front of a live TV audience. We want everyone to feel like everything is under control. We can take care of everything. We can handle whatever comes our way.

The problem with this attitude is that it often ends with us putting up a front. And trying to manipulate the way others perceive us is a slippery slope because eventually all we have is this false frame that others see with no concept of our actual self that lies within it. We can quickly become walking shells of humans with personalities we’ve merely created for ourselves.

David is a pretty epic Biblical character. We know that he killed lions and bears (1 Sam. 17:34-37), that he defeated Goliath (1 Sam. 17), then he had a dominant military career (1 Chron. 18), and on top of everything that God referred to him as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). Seems like he pretty much had it all together.

But then we read some of what he wrote in Psalms, and it sounds terrible. He talks about being lonely and afflicted, being in anguish, and even feeling like he’s drowning. The Bible verses “I will fear no evil for you are with me” and “My God, why have you forsaken me?” were both written by David in consecutive Psalms (22 and 23). How is that even possible?

It’s a cruel irony that we often assume the people who experience the most success usually endure the least amount of suffering. In the story of David, as well as the story of many athletes, the opposite is true. With high highs usually come low lows. 

Here’s the truth: we can’t do it alone, and even if we could, it’s not about us anyway. God, as well as the society we live in, craves authenticity. Not the facades we put up for others, or the version of ourselves we’re most proud of. But to give Him that requires humility. And the terrifying truth is that if we don’t humble ourselves, God might humble us for us. He has changed kings and altered kingdoms. If he needs to take away something to remind us that He is God, that seems well within His reason.

The arena of sports is an unnatural place where fans tend to push this on athletes at an alarming pace.

But what if we all stopped pretending like we have everything under control and started “leading with a limp”and showing others and God the truth about what’s really going on?

In our weakness might the story of God’s grace shine even brighter?

Here’s a profound lesson we can learn from David’s life: he didn’t hide his emotions. When he was happy and having a great day, he let God know. And when he was miserable and depressed, he let God know that too. In all things, he told God what was going on in his heart and mind.

Is the same true for us? We’re happy to post on social media for all to see after our success. But are we willing to let anyone see the weight of responsibility we carry when things go wrong?

Thats the mission we’re on. To steward His stories of grace and our brokenness for the sake of the Gospel, under the bright lights of sports. While other sites like Players Tribune give a voice for athletes to share their stories, there needs a place where the message of Faith Driven Athletes can be heard in a winsome way.

This June we’ll launch a beta version of the site with a weekly podcast, regular news, and articles from others also working in this space. They’ll be the voices of Faith Driven Athletes. Telling their Story of Grace. If you’re a collegiate or professional athlete that would like to share the story of where God has you in this season, we’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us on the Journey.

The Faith Driven Athlete Team