Influence
Bo Basset - youngest world champion; future collegiate wrestler
Ready: “Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.” — Daniel 1:8
Set:
I remember my first time at the Olympic Training Center. My dad, who is also my coach, told me as I left, “Take full advantage of every opportunity.” At the end of the first session, Kyle Snyder announced he’d be leading a Bible study that night. I was curious, but when I asked other wrestlers around my age if they were going, none of them were. Still, something inside me said go. I remembered what my dad told me, and I didn’t want to let the opportunity pass. I went. It changed everything. That night I was surrounded by wrestlers I looked up to, not just for their success, but because of how they lived. Every night that week I kept going and when I returned home, I was hungry for more. I joined FCA at school, and our family started going back to church. One year later, back at the same place, I got to lead a Bible study myself. And later that week, a good friend, Ladarion Lockett, and I made the decision to be baptized. This time, it was my choice, my faith, going all in. Every athlete knows what it means to train, to commit, to go all in for a goal. But there are moments off the mat where we are faced with bigger decisions. Ones that shape not just a season, but our soul. Faith is a choice, and sometimes it takes courage to follow when others won’t. My story echoes the moment in the Bible when young Daniel chose to stand out and follow God, even when others around him didn’t. Like Daniel, I didn’t follow the crowd. I chose to pursue God, even when it meant stepping out of my comfort zone. That choice set a foundation for something greater than I ever imagined. Being an athlete of faith isn’t always popular. But leadership in sport and faith begins with decisions that others might not see, but God does. I am so fortunate my whole team bought in. I made it my mission to get as many people on board, starting with my family and then my teammates. Just like Daniel’s stand led to influence and impact, my faith decision started a ripple effect that impacted my whole family and team and even gave me a platform to lead others. Go:
Have you ever felt pulled to make a choice for your faith, even when others weren’t? What did you do?
What opportunities might God be placing in front of you right now?
What does going “all in” look like for you as an athlete who follows Jesus?
Workout:
Overtime: God, thank You for the moments that shape us—even the quiet ones when no one is watching. Help me to follow You, even when it’s not the popular choice. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and the hunger to grow closer to You. Help me lead with my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.