USG's Spring 2025 Reflection Scholarship Winner Essay- Anthony Wedel

USG member Anthony Wedel won USG's 2025 Spring Reflection Scholarship. This blog will feature Anthony’s winning essay!

Winning Spring 2025 Essay by:

Anthony Wedel -  Graduate Assistant/Ticket Office Associate at Liberty University

"In the fast-paced and demanding world of the sports industry, it is easy to become consumed by work and neglect the spiritual disciplines that ground and sustain us. As Christians working or aspiring to work in sports, maintaining a consistent relationship with God is essential, even in the busiest seasons. This message emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual disciplines, especially prayer, as a way to stay connected to God and strengthen our faith. By making time for prayer and other spiritual practices, we honor God and allow Him to guide our paths, no matter how hectic our schedules may be.

The message is deeply relevant to Christians in the sports industry because it highlights the struggle to balance work and spiritual life which is one of the most prevalent discussions in the sports world. The demanding nature of sports often blurs the lines between professional and personal time, causing spiritual disciplines to become secondary. However, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs, we are called to "pray without ceasing," encouraging us to maintain a continual conversation with God. Even in the busiest moments, there are opportunities to seek Him through prayer. This message reminds us that God desires our attention and presence, and when we prioritize Him, He rewards our faithfulness. By intentionally making time for spiritual practices, we can nurture our relationship with God and stay grounded despite the pressures of the sports world.

This lesson challenged me to reevaluate how I prioritize my spiritual life in the midst of a demanding schedule. A particularly convicting statement from the message was when Kelli said, "If Jesus needed to get up before the day started and pray and spend time with His Father, don’t you think we need to?" This quote served as a powerful reminder that if even Jesus made time for prayer, I must also be intentional about dedicating time to God even when I may feel that I am too busy. Often, when life becomes overwhelming, I focus on the external demands instead of the most important relationship in my life—my relationship with God. This message encourages me to make tangible changes, such as waking up earlier to spend quiet time with God. It also prompts me to seek a true quiet space where I can be fully present with Him, regardless of how busy my day may be.

A practical step I can take to apply this message is to incorporate intentional prayer into the beginning and end of my day. Specifically, spending 15 to 30 minutes to start my day in prayer and fellowship with God. This quiet time will help me center my thoughts, seek His guidance, and prepare for the challenges ahead especially when I may be feeling overwhelmed or drained from work. Additionally, I will conclude my day by spending another 15 minutes in prayer, allowing me to reflect on the day and rest in God’s presence, opening up a space for correction so that I can make myself better every day. By consistently dedicating these moments to God, I can strengthen my spiritual foundation and navigate the demands of the sports industry with faith and purpose. This message serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how busy life becomes, we must prioritize our relationship with God. As Christians working or aspiring to work in the sports industry, maintaining spiritual disciplines such as prayer is crucial for staying connected to God and living out our faith. By following the example of Jesus and dedicating intentional time to God, we not only honor Him but also receive the strength and wisdom needed to face the demands of our professional lives. Through small, consistent actions like starting and ending each day in prayer, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and bring His light into the world of sports."

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Thank you, Anthony, for participating in the Spring 2025 USG Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Helmet Tracker, for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners!

If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to apply for our Fall 2025 Reflection Scholarship, which goes live on September 5th!