10/16/2026
Friday Devotional | Nameless
I was entering my 20th season serving as the chaplain for the University of Oklahoma softball team. We had just come off an unprecedented run of four consecutive national championships. But now, sitting across from a brand-new team — reshaped by a large graduating class and the transfer portal — the questions were real and heavy: How do we follow the last four years? How do we live up to the names that came before us?
The graduating class had become household names in the softball world. Their accolades, influence and platforms were inspiring, but also intimidating for the players who followed.
In prayer and Scripture, God highlighted story after story — and a theme emerged. Many people who made a lasting impact in the Bible were never named. Their faith, not their fame, was what mattered. Their stories became anchors for us, reminding us that God sees and uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.
During a time in our sports culture where the focus is so much on OUR Name, OUR Image, and OUR Likeness (NIL), what if we, as followers of Christ, put our focus on HIS Name, HIS Image and HIS Likeness?
These nameless people in Scripture teach us that maybe, just maybe, it is not our name that is to be remembered, but the Name above all names — Jesus Christ.
Paul challenges us in Philippians 2:5-11:
“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus...”
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, ordinary or wondered, “Does anyone see me? Does anyone even know my name?” — remember that God does, and that is enough.
Coaches often remind their athletes, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” The same is true in following Christ. Faithfulness requires both obedience when God says go — and humility in returning to Him in prayer and in His Word.
Article by Sarah Roberts