By Kiel Higginbotham
With fall quickly approaching, many families with young kids will find themselves flocking to ball fields and courts throughout Mississippi. Sports certainly have the attention of our culture. Research shows that over 50 percent of kids aged 6-17 participate in sports regularly. That means 250,000 to 300,000 Mississippi children and their families are regularly involved and invested in sport.
Athletics are a great gift from God. Like any gift, they can be used to enjoy Him and point others to Him. However, as we have experienced, sports can also be used as a wedge: between us and God, between us and family, and between us and friends. There’s no shortage of videos and articles depicting the ugly that sports can bring out of us.
Now more than ever, families need help navigating youth sports. If we let it, sports will build into our children (and reinforce in the adults) a me-centered life. It can become an idol that pits fathers against sons, mothers against daughters, friends against friends, all in the name of a game.
So how do we make sure not to waste this season? It can be an incredible time of investment into our kids and families. It can also be a season full of great witness to the community around us. As we embark on another season, here are two questions to consider to ensure we don’t miss the opportunity God has laid in front of us:
- What message will I communicate to my young athlete? Our kids will be susceptible to believe that their success or lack thereof defines who they are as individuals. This is not helped when the most trusted adults in their lives affirm this by the way we respond to their athletic performance. Parents should be vigilant to make sure our kids know that our love and support of them is not dependent on their athletic performance. Over time, this voice will build them into strong and confident young men and women. (And better athletes, too!)
- What message will I communicate to the world? Christian families who are involved in sports should see this season as an incredible opportunity for kingdom impact and consider ways to reach this community of people God has placed in our lives. The dramatic highs and lows of sports will squeeze us and put our faith to the test. John 13:35 says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Let’s pray that God would change our perspective to see sport as a great gift and vehicle to enjoy Him and point others to Him. Don’t waste this season!
Kiel Higginbotham is the state director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Mississippi. He also directs the FCA Force baseball and softball clubs. He and His wife, Lara, live in Brandon with their two boys, Jett (10) and Lake (6).