Seeing God’s Beauty in Sport

A snow capped mountain with its jagged edges. 

An expansive green pasture against the backdrop of a big blue sky.

A sunrise off the coast greeting a new day with streaks of color reflecting off the water. 

The birth of a new life into the world through the strong and resilient body of a woman.

The laughter of friends and family gathered around a well cooked meal. 

An art piece that creatively conveys emotion with every stroke of the brush.

The incredible athleticism of runners as they flex every muscle to cross the finish line. 

These are only a few examples of the beauty God displays throughout creation. Beauty that is not limited to mountaintop experiences. Beauty that exists in the biggest and smallest moments in life. It is a gift from our Creator to delight and enjoy such beauty.

If these gifts of beauty are all around us, would that not include sport? Sure, there are parts of the sporting experience that have been tainted or disrupted by sin. But we should not miss the opportunity to witness the glory of our Creator in the experience of sport. God’s beauty is present here too. 

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Admiration of beauty often leaves us with a feeling of awe—a sensation or realization of the transcendent nature of God. Could our engagement with sport, whether as athletes or spectators serve as a catalyst for a deeper awareness of the beauty of God? Are God’s invisible qualities on display in the heat of an athletic competition as they are in the rest of creation? 

We might find our athletic experiences transformed into moments of profound awe and genuine worship if we paused and truly observed the wonders of God's craftsmanship showcased in sport. Beauty which is evident in the intricate design of our physical bodies, the intentionality behind our relationships, and the way human creativity mirrors His own.

Embodied Beauty in Motion

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:13-14

The human body is amazing. It’s woven together with intricacies that are invisible to the eye. Humans were knit together with great detail and immense potential—God’s sacred construction. There is true wonder in how God designed our bodies which we often miss or take for granted. 

Our God given bodies are beautiful works that can glorify God in sport with every physical feat. Each athletic movement can be considered an act of celebration and worship of the God who creatively and intricately designed our bodies with enormous potential. 

Every drop of sweat is evidence that God designed our bodies to be self coolant when pushing physical boundaries. 

Every sore muscle is a reminder that God designed us with potential to become stronger. 

Every small and technical movement required for each sport conveys the intricate ways God designed our bodies to complete tasks with finesse. 

Every physical celebration after achieving a goal, complete with goosebumps and adrenaline, reflects God’s desire for us to be filled with joy.  

Noticing God’s beauty in the creation of our bodily form is cause for celebration and worship. Celebration that is not dependent on talent level or performance but in the God who designed us with much intention and capacity to worship. 

In the book Wonderfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body, John Kleinig makes a case for the celebration of God’s design of our bodies. He writes “We should hold bodies in high regard for their wonderful construction and their amazing potential, potential that is realized when they are used in the right way to serve others and glorify God” 

Sport offers a unique platform to reflect God’s beauty by serving others thus glorifying Him.

Beauty in Relationships

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." - 1 John 4:11-12

Most youth trophies inevitably find their place in dusty boxes tucked away in an attic. Each medal or trophy is a tangible memory of victory. While these memories rightfully hold significance, God’s beauty in sport is not limited by wins or losses. The most cherished memories are often those where God's love was evident in our relationships with teammates, opponents, and coaches. 

Individuals collectively striving together to achieve a goal points to God’s beautiful design for community and camaraderie. 

A group of parents rallying to provide for a family on the team who is in need is a tangible reminder of God’s generosity and care for the vulnerable. 

A captain advocating to a referee or an official for the right call reveals God’s love for justice and call for redemption. 

A moment of forgiveness and sportsmanship between rivals during the heat of competition demonstrates God’s desire for peace amongst humanity. 

A coach who works hard to love every athlete regardless of their talent showcases that God’s love is unconditioned and not dependent on performance. 

These moments are significant because they transcend the game and highlight human connection. As we seek to love one another in sport, God’s love is made visible. A love so profoundly beautiful that it evokes a feeling of transcendent awe and gives purposeful meaning to all we do. 

Beauty in Creativity

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…” - Genesis 1:27-28

One may argue against the idea that sports are a creative endeavor. However, humans are made in the image of God so each one of us reflects God’s ability to create—no matter our context. God has given humanity permission to continue cultivating the world as part of our human mission and purpose in life. Sport offers a canvas to exercise such creative capacity. 

Moreover, the evolving nature of competition pushes humans toward their creative potential. Competition in sport over time fostered an environment where dribbling moves like the crossover in basketball or the scissors in soccer were artistically invented to evade defenders. Such artistic movements make the games we love more beautiful. By doing so, we fulfill our mandate to mirror God’s ability to create and cultivate beauty in the world.

A coach designs thoughtful training sessions that facilitate development in athletes which mirrors God’s intentional plan to develop human potential and grow us in Christ-like character. 

A team moves in an organized fashion to open spaces for passes and ultimately scoring opportunities can reflect how God uses community to solve problems for the sake of communal flourishing. 

An athlete precisely and strategically times a creative move to defeat an opponent imitating God’s wisdom in exercising timely, purposeful acts that bring about new creation. 

An executive or athletic director cleverly leverages resources to provide for the whole organization mimicking God’s divine provision. 

Ingenuity and innovation are commonplace in sport as the entire sporting community is striving together to further the games we enjoy and appreciate. This expression of creativity is an example of how humanity is living out the purpose of Genesis 1-2. As we partner with God to create more beauty in the world, we are living into our potential as God designed. 

Responding to Beauty: Worship & Gratitude 

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works – and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” - Psalm 145:3-7

What if we meditated on God’s beauty in sport the way we meditate on other aspects of God’s creation? It could shift our eyes from performance metrics to God’s majesty and mighty acts. It could shift our perspective from worshipping the sport to worshipping the God who set things in motion at the beginning of time. As we celebrate God’s abundant goodness, sports are given a transcendent meaning and purpose that extends well beyond wins and losses. 

So, next time you participate in sport or simply spectate, meditate on the wonderful works of God that you see. Name them, ascribe their beauty to God’s goodness, and let the awe of God’s majesty swell in your heart and mind.