Several members of a US softball team have publicly declared the eternal hope that can only be found in Christ.
In an interview with ESPN, the award-winning captain of the Oklahoma Sooners explained how the team stays joyful amid the pressure of maintaining their winning streak in the Women’s College World Series.
Grace Lyons said: “Well the only way that you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord and any other type of joy is actually happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes.”
‘Fullness of joy’
In a video reflecting on her softball career, Lyons explained: “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.”
the only way that you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord
She said: “We as Christians are expected to work hard at all that we do for Christ but the real victory has already 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 fullness of joy that comes only from the Lord.”
Team member Alyssa Brito added: “You can’t find a fulfillment in an outcome whether it’s good or bad and I think that’s why we’re so steady in what we do and our love for each other and our love for the game because we know this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God”.
World Cup
Last year, England’s World Cup winger Bukayo Saka said how it is “really important” to always have the presence of God in his life.
The Arsenal player, who attends a Pentecostal church in London, told a press conference that he continued to read the Bible every night during the tournament.
He said that “the main thing for me is keeping my faith, having faith in God so I don’t need to be nervous or worried about any outcomes”.
Team GB Olympic athletes share Christian faith