Devotional on third place: September 3

Daily Devotional: Thursday, September 3 – Bronze Medal

By Sports Spectrum Sep 3, 2026

Bronze medalist Flora Tabanelli of Italy, right, celebrates after the women's freestyle skiing big air final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB)

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The infamous Ricky Bobby said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” An early 2000s songwriter penned, “What does it take to be No. 1? Two is not a winner, and three nobody remembers.”

Neither of these are Biblically based, nor do I believe the Holy Spirit led them to these words. However, I believe God can use these pop references to help us fulfill His Word.

Romans 12:2 declares, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Being No. 1, being the champion, and being the best is certainly the world’s way. I challenge us to renew our mind to God’s way. His way leads us to strive for third place: Jesus (1), others (2), then us (3).

Since 1904, the third-place finishers in Olympic competitions have received a bronze medal. This is an amazing accomplishment, but certainly not anyone’s primary goal. In sports, no one is aiming to be the third-best at their position or be on the third-best team. This applies to athletes, coaches and sports officials. God created us to strive for excellence and to prosper in what He’s called us to. Being No. 1 is not a sin or unrighteous. The challenge is to aspire to excellence with humility, grace and selflessness.

It may seem counterproductive to speak highly of your “competition.” It may not be sensible to think of others’ success more than your own. But Jesus is undefeated and so are His ways. If we serve faithfully on His team, then we will be No. 1 for eternity, and not just on the podium. Live like the gold medalist by serving in third place.

— Kristopher D. Loving, Sr.

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Daily Devotional: Wednesday, September 2 – Where Meaning Is Found

By Sports Spectrum Sep 2, 2026

Former NFL player Tom Brady, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” — Ecclesiastes 2:11a

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In June 2005, legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady was famously featured on an episode of CBS’s documentary-style news program “60 Minutes.” He was 27 years old, in the prime of his career and at the top of the football world, having recently won his third of what would become a record seven Super Bowls.

Yet when asked in the interview what he’d learned through all his success, Brady — in a moment of incredible sincerity and vulnerability — revealed his futile quest to find meaning in Super Bowls.

“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there’s something greater out there for me?” he asked. “… I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘God, it’s gotta be more than this. I mean, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.'”

So what’s the answer?

“I wish I knew!” he exclaimed. “I wish I knew.”

The sentiment behind Brady’s comments has been a common refrain throughout the generations and across the sports landscape. Once accomplished, these lifelong goals that athletes set for themselves and work tirelessly to achieve don’t fulfill them in the way they’d hoped. Too often, they’re left discontented, still in search of ultimate meaning and the true purpose of their lives.

It’s a sentiment the Bible addresses most directly in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The author of the book tells of how he sought lasting meaning in wealth, possessions, career, relationships, alcohol and even wisdom itself. None of it sufficed. Then, in the second-to-last verse of the book, a powerful verdict is delivered: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

After a life lived trying (and failing) to derive inner peace from earthly pleasures, the author had learned his lesson. Inner peace isn’t found in anything of this world — not the number in your bank account, the admiration of other people, or the Super Bowls you win. Meaning is found in knowing God, being known by Him and living the life He’s called you to live.

The things of this world aren’t worthless in and of themselves. Strive as hard as you can after your athletic goals. Work diligently at your job and provide for the people around you. But we weren’t made to find lasting meaning in any of that, only in God Himself. If we get them flipped, we will always wind up disappointed.

— Kevin Mercer

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Daily Devotional: Tuesday, September 1 – Building Discipline

By Sports Spectrum Sep 1, 2026

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” — 1 Timothy 4:7

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Before our practices even begin, our players know what’s expected of them. Without any of the coaches giving instruction, they set their equipment down, line up on the court and start their stretching. Seniors and upperclassmen take charge and hold each other accountable.

From there, they know what court to head to and begin their warmup. They understand what’s expected of them to start each practice, and they know that if they’re late for any reason, they will have to do the entire stretching sequence on their own.

Successful teams and programs don’t happen by accident. They take dedicated coaches and players who agree to a set of expectations and have the self-discipline to execute them, even when they’re not given direct orders. Our girls’ tennis team finished as the state runner-up this past season, and while the talent had a lot to do with it, so did their discipline and willingness to meet the expectations set for them.

When they veered off course, they accepted coaching well, and when needed, they accepted tough coaching even better. They understood what it took to be one of the best and to succeed at the highest level. But ultimately, none of this happens if they didn’t have buy-in and discipline on their own.

The same is true of our faith. Following Jesus requires more than just agreeing with what He says. It requires us to order our lives around Him in every way — praying when we’d rather scroll or watch TV, serving when we’d rather be served, or choosing to worship when we’d rather let ourselves be distracted by something seemingly more entertaining.

None of those practices earn God’s love or acceptance, but they are a way of responding to it.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”

Training requires intention and repetition. Usually, it requires us doing something we don’t really feel like doing. Good athletes understand and accept this. Many even embrace it because they know you don’t become stronger by occasionally working out just when you feel like it. You get stronger by consistency in the gym. In the same way, our faith grows stronger when we consistently make room for God to shape us.

There will be days when you don’t feel like praying or spending time in the Word. You’ll have moments when obedience is difficult and you don’t want to pay the price of it. But that’s when discipline matters. It’s helping you strengthen your faith and become formed in the way Jesus intended.

What we repeatedly practice begins to shape who we become. A great team understands what’s expected of it. A growing disciple does as well.

— Cole Claybourn

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Daily Devotional: Monday, August 31 – Are You Ready?

By Sports Spectrum Aug 31, 2026

Washington Commanders at training camp, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” — 2 Peter 3:10

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NFL teams start training camp with 90 players and trim their rosters down to 53 players before the first regular-season game. That means each of the 32 teams cuts 37 players, so more than 1,100 guys are let go from teams annually.

In spite of all of the best efforts of coaches, some of the most talented football players don’t last, whether it’s because of attitudes, like a lack of listening, or skipping meetings or practices without a valid reason. Some just aren’t ready or willing for what it takes.

In our lives, we need to be ready for Jesus’ second coming.

Though God made the world perfect in every way, sin brought corruption into the world. In the beginning, it was a few sins by a small group of people, but sin grew and multiplied over time. People moved further and further away from God and His ways, so the Lord warned Noah about an approaching flood that would wipe out the evil. God was patient for several generations, but people became more and more wicked and refused to listen to God’s commands (Genesis 6:6-7).

Yet, Noah stood out as a good man in the midst of wickedness. Therefore, God planned to preserve at least one family in order to preserve humankind. Before the rain started, Noah had two jobs: make a boat and then fill it with animals and food (Genesis 6:19-21). Noah and his sons built a massive wooden ark over decades, and it had room for two of every kind of animal. It is presumed that Noah — later called a “preacher of righteousness” — warned his neighbors of the coming flood, but if he did, they didn’t listen to him.

Surely, God is patient with us and prefers to show mercy. But the Lord makes deadlines for us and we need to draw near to Him while we have life, breath and good understanding. That’s why Jesus compared His second coming to the time of Noah, because God doesn’t tell us the date of major events beforehand, but He lets us know we need to be prepared at any moment (Matthew 24:36-37).

As the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write, he explained that the world was covered with water one time, but fire will consume everything except those who are safe in Christ’s arms (2 Peter 3:10, above). We need to heed God’s warnings and be ready to meet God at any moment. Are you ready?

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia

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Daily Devotional: Friday, August 28 – Seek His Face

By Sports Spectrum Aug 28, 2026

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” — 1 Chronicles 16:11

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Are you seeking God’s hand or His face? If I’m honest with myself, it’s His hand. Seeking God’s hand is about what He can do for me. Seeking His hand turns my prayer time into my “personal wish list,” and I start treating God like my own genie.

It’s really easy to make my prayer time about me — my wants, my needs and how I think God should handle all my situations and answer my requests. I pray for favor and blessing — not necessarily wrong things, but the posture of my heart turns into entitlement. “God, You owe me!” It becomes a transactional relationship where I try to convince God of my self-righteousness and expect Him to give me the so-called desires of my heart.

God — the Creator of this universe; the One who is holy, perfect and righteous; the One who loves us unconditionally and gave us His only Son to die on the cross for our sins, so we can have a relationship with Him — craves us. He wants us to seek Him, to seek His face. He’s the God who forgives. He sees and knows all things. He should not be treated as a vending-machine god. My heart breaks for the times that I view Him like that and I ask Him to forgive me. I’m learning that as I seek His face, the favor and blessing I’m praying for are His “presence,” not necessarily His “presents.”

Is your heart’s desire to seek His face? Seeking His face is seeking His presence. Do you want a deeper, more intimate and meaningful relationship with God? Seek His face rather than His hand and you’ll begin to fall in love with Jesus. Your prayer time will begin with gratitude and thankfulness as you reflect on His goodness, grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. Instead of rushing into the throne room with personal requests and wants, you’ll begin to enjoy just sitting at His feet like Mary did.

You’ll begin to crave and enjoy your quiet time. It will no be longer a check-list item or to-do activity to get done during the day when you have a little extra time and it’s convenient; it becomes more intentional and focused. It becomes a priority, and instead of a “have to,” it’s now a “get to” — no longer duty but rather devotion and delight. You’ll actually look forward to spending time with God and being in His presence.

And here’s the beautiful thing about seeking His face: He transforms you and changes you. You become more and more like Christ because of the time you spend with Him. Moses came down from the mountain and his face glowed because of spending time in the presence of God. In the New Testament, Jesus calls us to be light. Are we bright? Do we shine? Do our teammates, friends and family see the difference in us because of spending time with God and being in His presence?

And, oh yeah, those desires of your heart start happening and occurring because they’re actually not your desires anymore — they are His desires which now become your desires because of spending time with Him. Seek His face!

Prayer: Dear God, please forgive me for just seeking Your hand. My prayer is to seek Your face. May I crave Your presence and seek intentional time with You on a daily basis. Amen.

— Jim Good

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