Giving God Glory in Competition with Brian Smith

Brian is on staff with Athletes in Action and the author of The Assist: A Gospel-Centered Guide to Glorifying God Through Sports. Brain is married to his high school sweetheart, Linsey, has three kids and is a Detroit Lions fan. He ran track and cross country at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a degree in communications.

Brian said one of the great gifts his parents gave him was reminding him that, when he got cut from a high school team, that God had a plan. That God sees something we can’t see and even when things look bleak, God is committed to our good, our growth and our joy. Have you had an opportunity to talk with your kids about how sometimes our Plan A isn’t God’s best for us? And that what we see as Plan B has some benefits and blessings that will be revealed over time?

He also reminds me that God cares more about our personhood than our performance. It’s possible to come away with the win and lose when the battle for honor, integrity and kindness. What aspect of your personhood, your character is God inviting you to grow in this season?

Finally, Brian reminds us that practice is worship. Giving our all at practice not only honors God, it shows respect and commitment to our teammates. How is your athlete viewing practice these days? How can we help them frame practice as more than a necessary evil, but a chance to stretch, push themselves and shine?

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Thanks again to Brian Smith for joining me today. Don’t forget to check out his book “The Assist: A Gospel-Centered Guide to Glorifying God Through Sports”