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Once I was speaking to a sports activities and faith professional this spring about athletes' favourite Bible verses, he introduced up the phrase “viewers of 1.”
Non secular athletes typically cite this when requested to clarify how they method their work. They are saying they give attention to performing or honoring God, not on successful or making impression within the crowd.
After this dialog, I began noticing the phrase “viewers of 1” in every single place. It got here up once more this weekend as I watched a latest Netflix hit: “America's Sweethearts,” a documentary in regards to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Reece, who was a rookie cheerleader through the 2023 NFL season that’s the focus of “America's Sweethearts,” notes on her Instagram that she is “dancing for Viewers One.” In the course of the documentary, she is open about her Christian religion, noting that she desires her cheerleaders to deliver followers nearer to God.
“I pray that someday whoever is watching this can see (God) and never me,” Reece advised producers.
Her faith-based method to her cheerleading profession was outstanding not solely to me, a budding connoisseur of the phrase “viewers of 1,” but additionally to the host of considered one of my favourite podcasts, “Wealthy Textual content.” Of their recap of the present, Emma and Claire mentioned how unusual it was for them to observe somebody discover non secular which means in changing into a intercourse image.
Claire commented: “(Reece) says in considered one of his interviews, 'I don't need to be the focal point. I hope when folks see me there, they see Jesus.' And I'm like, 'Reece, I don't suppose that's taking place.'”
I perceive what he's saying. Most NFL followers watch Reece dance with out understanding her non secular background, the identical manner they watch quarterback Brock Purdy play with out realizing that he promotes the Bible verse behind the phrase “viewers of 1” on his X account.
However to Reece's credit score, if a fan appeared her up on Instagram or watched her on “America's Sweethearts,” her non secular background can be instantly clear. She actually makes use of her platform to level folks to God and appears to waste little time worrying about whether or not cheerleading looks as if a “godly” exercise to others.
The documentary makes it clear that Reece actually finds unimaginable which means in cheerleading's connection to Christianity. Her religion conjures up her to work arduous and brings her consolation when she fears what the longer term holds.
“God is in command of this complete course of. So no matter's going to occur goes to occur,” says Reece earlier than the in-person audition.
“America's Sweethearts” was not designed to supply faith-related revelations. Nevertheless it gave me a deeper understanding of what it's prefer to play for an “viewers of 1”.
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Date of the week: Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a well-known pilgrimage community that stretches throughout France, Spain and several other different European international locations. Though pilgrims can select their very own journey by way of the size of the journey and the facilities they get pleasure from alongside the best way, one widespread custom is to finish in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
“Some folks go on the Camino for religious causes; others discover religious causes on the Camino as they meet different pilgrims, attend Pilgrimage Plenty in church buildings, monasteries and cathedrals, and see the huge infrastructure of buildings offered to pilgrims over many centuries,” in keeping with the Camino web site.
The Camino de Santiago is related to Catholicism, however it’s more and more being traveled by non secular “nones,” as Faith Information Service reported final week.
What I learn…
Non secular athletes don’t communicate with one voice about how their religion impacts their sports activities careers. However one factor can be clear while you learn The Related Press' latest article on faith and sports activities: Should you don't ask athletes about their religion, you'll typically miss a giant a part of the story.
A Texas choose dominated final week in favor of a non secular group that serves migrants alongside the U.S.-Mexico border. In keeping with CBS Information, Decide Francisco X. Dominguez mentioned Texas officers violated the shelter's non secular freedom rights.
Two weeks in the past, I shared an replace on a non secular freedom lawsuit in Missouri that sought to pressure modifications within the state's abortion coverage. (A choose dominated in opposition to religion leaders looking for to guard abortion entry.) Final week, Faith Information Service printed a extra complete replace on the various totally different teams which might be drawing on the Non secular Freedom Act to problem abortion restrictions.
Particulars
One other week, one other podcast look. I joined the Sutherland Institute's “Defending Concepts” podcast to speak in regards to the significance of the Supreme Court docket's choice to overturn the Chevron doctrine.
And right here's a behind-the-scenes have a look at my bizarre podcast pores and skin setup. Not pictured: My two small, soiled canines.
