T
hey gather at midfield following a grueling, hard�fought game--
moments ago they were battling as opponents, but now huddled
together, joining in prayer.
What is it about faith that compels ath-
letes to come from opposite sides of the playing fi eld to share in a few
moments of prayer?
Over the past few years, there have been several high profi le athletes who have
publicly expressed their faith--on and off the fi eld. These athletes have gone be-
yond the simple gestures toward Heaven after a score to living out their faith in a
very public way.
Take Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Super Bowl Champion Seattle
Seahawks--everyday Wilson posts a BVD--Bible Verse of the Day--on his twitter
account. Before each game, Wilson is careful to offer his hope that despite what
happens on the fi eld, God is glorifi ed through his actions. Off the fi eld, Wilson
spends his time visiting sick children at a local children's hospital.
On a different fi eld, pro golfer and two-time Masters Champ Bubba Watson is
very open about his faith and how that infl uences every aspect of his life. During
tournaments, even the high profi le events, Watson is found participating in Bible
studies in between rounds. In victory or defeat, Watson gives praise to God readily
and often. When faced with criticism for his faith, Watson's response is
simply to offer prayer for his critics. Away from the game, Watson's
faith and that of his wife, former WNBA star Angie Ball, compelled
them to adopt their son, Caleb.
There are many other marquee athletes who use their star
power to promote their faith in God. Jeremy Lin of the
Houston Rockets basketball team and Tim
Tebow continue to be vocal about how their
faith provides peace in what could be consid-
ered crazy and sometimes morally dangerous
professions. Josh Hamilton, outfi elder for the
California Angels, confesses that his faith in Christ
keeps him clean and sober.
W W W . S A I N T E R S E C T I O N . O R G
Vantage Point
Dogs & Cats Living Together!
In his autobiography, Just As I Am, Billy
Graham remembers a boyhood prank that
turned out to be a life�lesson.
The Graham family dog, a collie, fought
constantly with the several cats that lived
on the family's North Carolina farm.
Five year�old Billy decided it would be
great fun to close up one of the cats inside
the doghouse--with the dog.
Except for a cat-screech or two im-
mediately upon entry, the doghouse was
silent. So Billy left the mortal enemies thus
imprisoned all night.
The next morning, he came to check
on the outcome. The collie was bigger,
so reason would have it that he would fare
better than the cat.
When Billy removed the barrier from
the doghouse door, out walked the dog
and cat, nearly side�by�side, as though
they had been friends for years!
"Maybe that is where the seeds of
some of my ecumenical convictions got
planted," Dr. Graham writes in his book,
"wanting to help people at odds with each
other
fi nd ways to get along together."
Even though it may at times seem
unnatural, God makes it possible for us
to live in freedom, not hating one another,
but serving one another in love
(Galatians 5:13).
It's a great rule to live by. And it'll keep
you out of the doghouse!
Frank Duracher
Faith
O N T H E
Field
y
Frank Duracher