What “Dear Softball” Can Teach Us

By: Chris Johnson

Last week was the Women’s College World Series, the NCAA college softball championship. I have my own little softball fan in my house, and so, for the first time ever in our living room, a complete, live game of any sport lit up our television screen. My segment of the Johnson family does not have a history of partaking in sports fandom, but there is a first time for everything.

We actually started paying attention to college softball at the end of last season, when a press conference with several of the Oklahoma players allowed the girls to give an incredible testimony which was shared by ESPN, of all sources. I wrote about it at the time.

I quoted Oklahoma’s Grace Lyons in that article, whom ESPN filmed for a “Dear Softball” video. For the past few years, the sports network has given seniors the opportunity to share their feelings about the sport that changed their life in the form of an open letter to the sport itself.

This year, Alabama’s Pitcher Kayla Beaver stood in front of the lens and read this letter: “Softball, you’ve been my entire life for almost 19 years. You have been my reason for so long, you have provided me with countless opportunities. Through all the hardships and battle tests, you continue to provide me with all the safety and comfort that I’ve always needed. You have provided me with the greatest friends that I could ever ask for. You have taught me to prove people wrong and have created the courage and bravery to reach for every goal. I cannot thank you enough for teaching me so many life lessons. As time has gone by, I’ve continued to grow as the person I want to be and that is because of you…” It goes on like this for three more minutes.

I would guess that this is how most high school, college, and professional athletes feel about their sports. Even at my daughter’s level as an 11-year-old, to excel requires devoting a lot of time to training. That will only ramp up as they get older and compete against larger pools of more and more talented players. This lifestyle does teach life lessons: conquering fears, social skills, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and much more. Every other “Dear Softball” video shares similar thoughts and emotions.

But, tragically, they also share its idolatry. Of course, the format of the videos – addressing the sport as a person – lends itself to this language that to Christian ears sounds more like a prayer, but for most of these athletes, it is very clear what they see as the root of their joy, and it’s their sport. “No matter how bad of a day I was having, I could turn to you knowing that even if it was just for a few hours, I could be happy…,” said Oklahoma State’s Miranda Elish.

There are a few athletes, however, whose “Dear Softball” letters stand in stark contrast, showing that they learned a lesson far more important than perseverance and courage. “You have taught me that even in the most perfect moments, that I’m not meant to be perfect, because Jesus is. And how to have faith that can get me through anything and withstand any storm. While I love you with my entire heart, you, Softball, are not who I am; you are what I do… You are my blessing.”  That was Alabama’s Montana Fouts last year.

“For a while,” OU’s Grace Lyons said to Softball, “you were something that my hands had such a tight grip on. My identity was tied so tightly to a game that leads to failure almost all of the time, and I rode the roller coaster of emotions. Then, I met Jesus… My perspective changed when I realized, you were just something I did, not who I was. Jesus tells me who I am, and I wanted to bring this light into the softball world and play the game differently…

“The promise is that true joy comes from reaching a goal that you have put all of your effort into. Yes, we as Christians are expected to work hard at all that we do for Christ, but the real victory has always been won on the cross: Jesus dying for my sin and saving me. Because of this, I have an eternal hope that allows me to play your game free, with fulness of joy that comes only from the Lord. With this mindset, I have played the most joyful softball the last five years. What’s crazy is that this joy doesn’t come after big wins, home runs, championships, etc. because all of those things will fade away…

“As I leave college softball, I pray that others can know how loved they are by the Creator of the world and that Jesus can use YOU in mighty ways.”

As many Christians have noted before, sports are a common idol in our nation and our time in history, but as Fouts’ and Lyons’ statements show, things like sports are enjoyed most fully as a blessing from God, rather than as a god.

Pastor and author John Piper famously coined the phrase, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.” When we look to our blessings – whether that be watching or playing sports, or our job, or our preferred candidate, etc. – for hope or for joy or fulfillment, we are stealing God’s glory and missing out on His best for us.

How much more enjoyable is softball, or whatever your favorite sport or hobby might be, when you can participate with the knowledge that God made it especially as a blessing for His people to enjoy?

 

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