"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Two inadequate views
"I believe God made me for a purpose - for China - but when I run I feel his pleasure and to give it up would be to hold him in contempt. To win is to honour him." Eric Liddell, Film, Chariots of FireIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...and God saw all that he had made and it was very good Genesis 1:1, 31
Two wrong views of sport have often surfaced in the Christian church. From the time of the Puritans onwards some Christians have strongly discouraged any involvement in sport. This has been either because the activity was felt to be of itself sinful or because of sin associated with sport. That the environment of sport was predominantly non-Christian, often associated with drinking and gambling as well as provoking an aggressive and competitive spirit, was enough to convince many Christians to steer well clear of it.
The other inadequate view of sport is to see sport purely as a tool for evangelism. It is OK for the Christian to play sport but only in order to evangelize. The activity has no value of itself.
It is true that the world of sport can be a very godless place: but can't all aspects of life be like this? As an activity in which we can use the gifts and abilities God has give us, sport is as valuable and significant as any other human activity. Further, it is absolutely true that within the world of sport that there are many opportunities for evangelism - which we should grasp with both hands - but that is not our sole justification for playing sport. Playing sport is as legitimate as any other human activity.
But if God created everything including our ability to play and enjoy sport, that gives sport intrinsic value. We can react by thanking God for the sporting ability he has given you. Go out and use it for his glory. Be intentional about developing your sporting talent to the best level possible.