"God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast and when I run, I feel his pleasure."
The joy of sport
The heavens declare the glory of God Psalm 19:1
The Psalmist is trying to express the wonder of God's world. Two expressions come to his mind. It is like a "bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course" Psalm 19:5. The Bible recognizes the joy of sport and compares it to a bridegroom coming to his wedding. The fulfilment we get from sport is both physically and emotionally satisfying.
We should not be embarrassed or guilty about enjoying sport and being fulfilled by it. Sport is part of God's creation and so are we. God has made us with an ability to play and enjoy sport. Let us thank him and give him glory.
If the heavens can declare the glory of God, why cannot the world of sport declare the glory of God? As we recognize sport as a gift from God and thank him for it, as we recognize our ability not as a reason for pride but as a cause of thanksgiving, we are declaring the glory of God. Let's try to do it today. Until, as Cassie Carstens puts it, the sports stadiums of the world become cathedrals to God.
Stuart