Ready:
“And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” – Mark 1:11
Set:
In high school, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible girls’ basketball program. I pushed myself at every practice, stayed late to get in extra shots and never wanted to let my teammates or coach down.
We had made it to the state championship game, and as seconds ticked down, I took a shot that swished through the net. We were state champions! Instead of the lasting joy I thought I’d feel, though, there was a persistent emptiness I couldn’t shake. Sure, the recognition was fun — fans and coaches celebrated us — but it didn’t last. The satisfaction faded, and before I knew it, the pressure to please everyone again — for next season — was already weighing in.
Looking back, I realized I wasn’t chasing a trophy; I was chasing approval from other people. I craved that “Well done” from coaches, teammates, parents — anyone who could tell me I was valuable. I desperately wanted to feel worthy and like I measured up. To me, winning felt like the only way to fill that hole. We think we can earn love by constantly chasing approval, working harder and measuring our worth by the numbers on a scoreboard. But what if that’s not the full story?
When we understand that God sees us through the lens of Jesus' death and resurrection, everything changes. Jesus has already shown us that God’s love is enough. It’s not something we have to earn or prove — it’s secured through His sacrifice on the cross. We no longer need to strive for approval. Instead, we can live from a place of security and freedom found in a relationship with Jesus. The pressure to please others fades because our worth isn’t found in their approval, it’s in Jesus' finished work on our behalf.
Whether you’re in the middle of your coaching career, your athletic career or life’s challenges, glorifying God is what truly matters most. You don’t have to earn His love, approval or affirmation. It’s already yours. You are His beloved child, and He is well-pleased with you — not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ. When we start to live out of this truth, it changes everything.
Go:
How have you been trying to gain approval from others?
What does God say about your value?
Take a few minutes to sit with God and let Him speak His love over you. Allow yourself to remember your identity as His beloved child.
Workout:
Overtime:
“God, Yours is the only approval I need. And I can rest knowing that You love me because I am Your child. Because of Jesus, I am right with You. May I lived loved, secure in You, and share that love with those around me. Amen.”