Spiritual Formation | 2/28/2026 8:10:00 PM

Written by: Leighton Cook
 
Sometimes God calls us to step back into something we thought was finished. We make plans, set goals, and envision what the next season of life will hold, but then God redirects us. And when He does, His plan always wins.
 
Softball has been one of the most defining parts of my life since I was nine years old. I honestly don't know what life looks like without it. Through this sport, I've experienced every emotion imaginable— excitement, heartbreak, joy, frustration, burnout, love, and even moments of hate. Being an athlete isn't easy. You can love the game deeply and still struggle through its challenges. Through every high and low, I've learned that the only way to keep going is by leaning on God.
 
My college career has been anything but predictable. I've been one of the best hitters in the conference, and I've also faced slumps where I can barely make contact with the ball. I have attended three universities and played under five head coaches in five years. That kind of inconsistency tests you— not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.
 
This past May, I graduated from LeTourneau University with my BBA in Management and Marketing. Just five days later, on May 15th, I married the love of my life. My husband and I were ready for a brand-new chapter in Nashville— new adventures, new jobs, grad school at Lipscomb, and building our life together! I was ready to hang up my cleats and move on.
 
But God had other plans.
 
I knew I technically had one year of eligibility left, but I wasn't planning on using it. My family kept telling me, "Just play one more year," but my heart was set on moving forward. Still, after I started the MBA program this past June, something stirred in me to pray about what was next. During that time of prayer, God clearly called me to reach out to the softball coaches at Lipscomb. I didn't expect much to come from it— maybe just a conversation— but it turned out to be one of the best decisions.
 
Although I joined the team about a week before school started, I was ready to embrace whatever God had for me. Little did I know how hard that would actually be. These first few months have been filled with challenges. I'm not performing the way I want to, and there have been days I've asked God, "Why am I doing this again?" But even in my frustration, I can see that He has a plan.
 
I have a team that backs me up and a unique opportunity for leadership and growth, even through struggle. Life is full right now— two jobs, grad school, being a wife, spending time with my husband and family, getting to know my new teammates, carving out time for the Lord, and managing everything else life throws at me. Life is hard, but it is so good because God has given me the ability and strength to do all of this. We must use the gifts He's given us and commit our work to Him— for His glory.
 
When nothing seems to make sense, we're called to rely on Him. In this unexpected season, where He's asked me to step back into something I thought was behind me, I've realized that obedience is more important than understanding. Sometimes, following God means saying "yes" before you know why.
 
Now that I'm part of this new team, I've been praying about how I can serve the people around me. God literally created us for community, and He calls us to live in relationship with one another. Being on a team is a beautiful reflection of that design! When things don't go the way I hope on the field, I remind myself that God might be using these moments to teach me, grow me, or even help someone else through my example.
 
My life is good no matter what because I have Jesus. With or without softball, I have Jesus. That truth is what anchors me.
 
In this final season that God has so graciously given me, I want to give it all back to Him. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." That's exactly what I'm choosing to do— fully surrender this season to God.
 
I want to use the gifts He's given me as an act of worship, offering my effort, discipline, and attitude to Him in everything I do. But I'll be honest, it's not always easy to commit your work to the Lord. It takes constant reminders and intentional effort to keep your heart focused on Him instead of your own performance or expectations. There are days when I forget, when I get caught up in results, busyness, or comparison. But that's when I have to pause and remember who I'm really playing, studying, and living for.
 
I remind myself daily that outcomes don't define me. Whether it's my performance on the field, in the classroom, or in my personal life, my worth is not measured by success or failure— it's defined by who I am in Christ.
 
Wins and losses won't change my purpose. What matters most is staying faithful in the process, showing up for my teammates, and trusting that God's way is always better than mine.
 
And the more I learn to trust Him, the more peace I find— even when things don't make sense. Obedience doesn't always make sense in the moment, but it always leads to peace. And if this season has taught me anything, it's that peace comes from trusting the One who called me back to the field in the first place.