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Photo Credit: Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Questioning - Reid Priddy

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I grew up in a family of faith, so I was introduced at an early age to the reality of God and Jesus. I didn’t question it.

After college, however, the more I studied, the more I began to question everything. I didn’t take anything at face value. But I remember, in my most skeptical moment, I couldn’t get past the awe and wonder of creation and the reality of God.

I live in Southern California for half of the year and Novosibirsk, Russia the other half. I have been a professional volleyball player for eight years. Just as my faith is a process, so too is my understanding of what it means to be an athlete who follows Christ. I believe that God is most glorified when I use the gifts He has given me to the best of my ability, whether I am on international TV or just at training. He has given us all special gifts and I believe it brings Him pleasure when those gifts are used to the maximum. To me, this means that I can compete to win with utmost intensity and it can glorify Him.

Faith and life with God is a daily process and God communicates with me throughout the process. Teamwork, integrity, work ethic and discipline all play out in the game of volleyball and also happen to be character-building. So God has used the sport of volleyball to teach me how to be a better man. It is my hope that as I compete and try to excel and be the best player and teammate that I can be, that God will be pleased and glorified.

This is a great reminder at the beginning of a new season to pursue greatness (no matter what you are doing) in the name of God and clinging to the strength He provides. Not with the end goal of winning — though it can be a goal and is a part of the process — but rather to become more like God and glorify Him.

— Reid Priddy, professional volleyball player

Photo Credit: Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Questioning - Reid Priddy

Jan 23, 2020

I grew up in a family of faith, so I was introduced at an early age to the reality of God and Jesus. I didn't question it. After college, however, the more I studied, the more I began to question everything. I didn't take anything at face value. But I remember, in my most skeptical moment, I couldn't get past the awe and wonder of creation and the reality of God. I live in Southern California for half of the year and Novosibirsk, Russia the other half. I have been a professional volleyball player for eight years. Just as my faith is a process, so too is my understanding of what it means to be an athlete who follows Christ. I believe that God is most glorified when I use the gifts He has given me to the best of my ability, whether I am on international TV or just at training. He has given us all special gifts and I believe it brings Him pleasure when those gifts are used to the maximum. To me, this means that I can compete to win with utmost intensity and it can glorify Him. Faith and life with God is a daily process and God communicates with me throughout the process. Teamwork, integrity, work ethic and discipline all play out in the game of volleyball and also happen to be character-building. So God has used the sport of volleyball to teach me how to be a better man. It is my hope that as I compete and try to excel and be the best player and teammate that I can be, that God will be pleased and glorified. This is a great reminder at the beginning of a new season to pursue greatness (no matter what you are doing) in the name of God and clinging to the strength He provides. Not with the end goal of winning — though it can be a goal and is a part of the process — but rather to become more like God and glorify Him. — Reid Priddy, professional volleyball player