Created to Be
The Created to Be podcast is hosted by Bethany Pigott, Justin Pigott, Darius Brown, and Brandi Morgan. Episodes incorporate what’s happening in FCA at Mississippi State, fun and lighthearted conversations that help you get to know the hosts and their guests, and real-life topics and themes being discussed with coaches and athletes.
Created to Be
Becoming Honest (feat. Maddy Anderson)
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In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, we’re going to the vault—but with fresh perspective. Bethany reintroduces a powerful conversation on honesty and vulnerability, beginning with a current update from former Mississippi State soccer goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, now playing professionally in France.
Maddy reflects on how vulnerability—with God and with others—has shaped her, deepened her relationships, and prepared her for life beyond college athletics.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting to be known and being afraid to open up, this conversation will encourage you to just dive in.
Follow Maddy on Instagram: @maddy.anderson.1
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And so when you become honest and vulnerable about the things that you need to work on and the things you need to change and the things that are hurting you, it allows you to take that step towards growth and allows you to take that step towards renewing yourself.
SPEAKER_00:Welcome to the Create It To Be Podcast. I'm your host, Bethany Pigett, and we're in for a unique week of this podcast. And I gotta be honest, that's the topic today. I'm still in Darius's phrase. I gotta be honest, if you've noticed. Um he says that often on the pod. We give him a hard time, but we love that about Darius that he tells us that when he's getting serious about something. And so we thought it was perfect for him to speak on that at the huddle this week at FCA. Um, Justin and I have been um out for a few weeks, so it's kind of made scheduling a little bit challenging. Plus, we are really trying to work on production here at the Created To Be Podcast, and our microphones have not been very nice to us. So we're getting a lot of equipment in order so that we can bring a good quality podcast to all of you who listen. That all being said, we have done some very creative things uh to manage getting a podcast out each Tuesday, and this week is no different. Um, because we were not able to record and do things as usual, which we will get Darius's thoughts because he spoke last night at the huddle, uh, we uh we're going to the vault today. And I'm excited to re-air this interview with Maddie Anderson because she um spoke about what vulnerability means for her in relationships. Now, Darius, I know that he spoke and was talking about how if you're not honest before the Lord about certain things, then these other things in your life are gonna be showing up. And you might be true treating like a symptom, but not the root. And so I want to talk to him more about that. I want to hear more about that to kind of air that out because I think that we can have a great convo about that. But because we can't do that just yet, I thought that hearing from Maddie would be really encouraging. And the great thing about Maddie is that she's still connected to Mississippi State FCA. So I was able to reach out to Maddie and just get her current thoughts now that she has graduated and been away from being a student athlete and now as a professional athlete, what does it look like now in her new space in life? Uh so here, I want you to hear this just a few minutes from Maddie and then about just where she's at right now. She's gonna share briefly just like where she's located in the world and what team she's on, and then just share her thoughts on vulnerability with Christ, but with others as well. And then we'll come back real quick and I'll reintroduce the episode where I interviewed her on the podcast.
SPEAKER_02:Hello, everyone. This is Maddie Anderson, former goalkeeper for the Mississippi State Women's Soccer Team. I am currently playing professional soccer in France for a club called Racing Club de Lens. Vulnerability and honesty are some of the most important aspects of your walk as a Christian. I remember doing this podcast with Bethany uh a couple years ago and just really leaning into that aspect of Christianity at the time because I was going through some struggles and I really just wanted to hide them because they were embarrassing and I just really didn't want to feel what I was going through. So I shut them down and I shoved them aside. But being able to talk with Bethany and have ones on one-on-ones with her and being able to open up and be vulnerable to the point where I'm like bawling my eyes out in her office one day has just been so refreshing and has honestly been such a healing thing for me coming into the professional world of soccer. Um vulnerability and honesty are so important, not only with Christ, but with your relationships, because like my time with Bethany, we have grown closer just because we were able to share things with each other and know more about each other and pray for each other. And that just creates such a bond that you can't get with a surface-level relationship. And I'm so thankful for that time. And it has led me, um, at the beginning of this 2025, I was with a different club for professional soccer, and I got to be able to have a relationship with some girls on that team. And it was honestly easier to have those relationships because I've had practice being vulnerable and honest, and so I was able to do that with other people and have them do the same to me and create bonds that are gonna last forever. And it just helped us see like the struggles they're going through the so are the same struggles I'm going through, and we can help each other through that and be able to grow in our walk with Christ together and help each other lead lead towards just growing closer to Christ. And whenever you do that with others, it's also easier to do it with Christ because that I mean, that's the ultimate person you need to be honest and vulnerable with. Because one, he already knows literally everything that you are thinking, everything that you're gonna do. Like he knit you in your mother's womb and knows your start date and your end date. So why would you not be honest and vulnerable with him? But he wants you to do that and to share all those things with him, the highs and the lows, because it allows you to have a deep and intimate relationship with him, just like I talked about earlier with Bethany and the other girls from the team. You get to create a deep connection when you're honest with God. And not only that, but when you're honest with him, you're able to grow yourself. Because if you don't see the areas you need to grow, like if if you were like me in that five past five months and trying to shove things down and put it aside and ignore it, you're not gonna grow in any way positive positively with Christ or just positively in life. And so when you become honest and vulnerable about the things that you need to work on and the things you need to change and the things that are hurting you, it allows you to take that step towards growth and allows you to take that step towards renewing yourself. For example, like when you go to Christ and you're like, I've been struggling with this sin and I'm so sorry, like I want to repent and turn, then you just took the first step of being able to grow closer to God and grow c farther in your walk with Christ. And the same as if you have uh deep questions for God, like why is there for example, why is there death in this world? Why do good people get cancer? All those different questions. When you ask that, you're able to have a deep communion with him and be able to get these questions off your chest instead of just being mad at God internally and not being able to express it in any way. These are just random examples, but you get my point. When you're vulnerable with Christ, you're able to grow and when you're honest with him, you're able to heal yourself and take your step towards spiritual maturity. And you can kind of see how it's all connected. Whenever you're vulnerable and honest in all your situations of life, like it just honestly helps you grow and become a new person and grow closer to God and closer to your church community because God never intended you to go through any of this alone. So that's why He wants you to have community. So yeah, honesty and vulnerability are something that I continue to work on as best as I can. It is not easy by any means, especially when you're first starting out, because it can be scary to share some things with people and it can be scary to share vulnerable things, but honestly, it is so healing and it's so refreshing. Like I never regret starting to do that. And it honestly led me to start doing my verses of the week on social media because I was terrified of doing that because I was afraid of what people would think. Like I didn't want to share any personal stuff. But as I started to do it, I started to share more and more personal things throughout my verses each week. And it has been amazing to see like people reach out to me on DMs, like, I needed this message, I'm struggling with this right now. And um thank you for sharing like your stories, blah, blah, blah. And so it it's so healing, not only for youth but for other people. So I encourage you if if you are struggling with being vulnerable and being honest, or if you're teetering on the if you want to do it or not, like go dive in. It is such an amazing experience.
SPEAKER_00:Maddie made some great points, you know. Just dive in. I think that that is the that's the first step. You have to just decide I'm gonna do this. I'm not, I'm st I'm not gonna pretend. I'm not gonna keep putting on a face. And I think that that is the first step of authenticity. And when we're real like that, we can begin it's it's hard because sometimes those areas of our life where we have pretended and we've been fake for so long, they do get exposed. And that's not fun. But the benefit, the reward is that we begin to see the beauty of who God has truly created us to be. So so grateful for Maddie and her just sharing with us real quick some great points about vulnerability, about connecting with God, connecting with others, and the benefit of that, even though it can be challenging. So now I hope that you enjoy this re-airing of the Create It to Be podcast from a previous episode, whenever we did kind of more interview style, and that you get to hear even more from Maddie. And she was going through a really hard time when she was a student athlete, and having to just navigate decisions of am I going to pretend and just, you know, act like I'm okay when really I'm not? I'm really battling with frustrations and an injury. Or am I gonna be honest with people? I'm gonna walk this out in vulnerability and just take that strength and move forward through the situation. So I hope you enjoyed today's episode. I know it's a little bit different, but I know you're gonna be blessed by Maddie's story. Welcome to the Created to Be podcast. I'm your host, Bethany Pigett, and today I'm sitting with Maddie Anderson. Can you say hey, Maddie? Hey guys. We're so glad that you're on the podcast today, Maddie. Last week we had Claudelle Harris Jr. and Josh Hubbard and Justin was the host. So it's good to be back in the seat, but super thankful for all of them. Um, just sharing their stories and talking about vulnerability and how that looks for guys. Like that was a very different type of podcast, and I was super thankful for how they explained that so that the listeners can just see the differences. So today we're gonna jump in to the same topic of vulnerability, but from your perspective and your experience. So if you would uh just introduce yourself and how you got to MSU, and then we'll dive into these topics.
SPEAKER_02:Of course. As you know, Maddie Anderson here. I'm a goalkeeper on the Mississippi State women's soccer team. My kind of story again here, I was recruited by different coaching, a different coaching staff at Texas, where I live. And with my club had a couple of camps and they came, watched me, were interested. I was also being recruited at Auburn, where my head coach was James Armstrong. He left Auburn and came to Mississippi State. So whenever that interchange happened, I was very thankful because he still wanted me. Shocking, he still wanted me. But um, yeah, and now I'm here and it's been a blessed five years.
SPEAKER_00:And you're also super involved with FCA. You've been on the leadership team. When Justin and I moved to Mississippi State, you were already on the leadership team. You stuck around with us, which we're super thankful. Yes. I mean, I've been a faithful pillar just on that team. Um, and so we're just so grateful for you and the time that you've given not only to Mississippi State athletics, but also to FCA and just your impact. And this is your senior season, so we're about to have to say goodbye as you move on, and we're excited for you and your future. Just super thankful for your time. So I know that you have some rich things that you can share with those who listen because you've had such a long time in this same place, and that's getting a little bit more uncommon in sports. So I think that it's gonna be really great for the listeners to hear just how you've grown. And the topics that we've been talking about on the podcast were the topics that we started the F like in FCA at the beginning of the semester about vulnerability and belonging and connection with other people and how you know this whole podcast is about created to be. So that we were created to be who God made us to be, and in that, like we have to face what it looks like to be vulnerable in our own lives and push past those barriers that sometimes get in the way. Um, and then belong to a people. And so that can be really hard. So I would love to just for people to hear how how do you define vulnerability?
SPEAKER_02:Vulnerability to me is kind of like being willing to let down the barriers of like that tough guy kind of facade and just really be honest and open with the people that you surround yourself with, because that's when relationships are truly built. If you're just fake with people and you're not really getting down to the nitty-gritty stuff, no growth is ever gonna happen. Like God intended for us to have community. That's why there was two in the garden, not just one. And so we were meant to walk through our walks of faith together. We weren't meant to do this alone. And so I think vulnerability is huge when we're talking about growth in your spiritual walk, but also just with connection with the people you're around.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and I've heard from different people, and I mean, Justin and I have been with an FCA for 10 plus years, and so you hear people come in and they really want, they they communicate their desire is to be connected. They want to feel known, but then they also like don't really want to put themselves in a position where they could get hurt, and and so that's where this struggle, right? You want to be known, but then you won't put yourself out there either. You know, you want to kind of, I don't know. It's like, you know what I'm talking about?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, it's definitely like I can understand because there's the fear of getting hurt with being vulnerable because it happens, like some people aren't the greatest, and they're gonna be rude to you if you're vulnerable, but it's also you want you desire that connec connection. It's like written in our DNA. Yeah. And so it's kind of getting over that initial barrier of like almost breaking through and having a good experience with vulnerability. And then you can continue to build off that and have maybe even bigger steps to bigger vulnerabilities.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that's so good because I was thinking about how for me, yeah, it's just like that one that first time that you have a person that really you can trust. And then you realize, oh, I'm like, I can be more myself. I don't have to, like you said, put on this facade. And that's how even, you know, they talked about it in the last podcast, but just in the south, how easy it is to be like, oh yeah, I'm fine, I'm good. How how's your day? It's good, you know. Yeah, just and that's a great like gesture and you know, uh exchange when you pass people, it's kind of nice, kind of freaks people from other parts of the country out. They're like, why'd they ask me about my day? Um, but you know, we just say that, but it's where there are there can be real, we can get into that zone where that's all we're saying. Yeah. When there really is more going on. So can you describe a time when exposing your emotions and stepping into vulnerability actually led to some kind of benefit or healing for you in your life?
SPEAKER_02:Honestly, past couple of weeks, uh, I've kind of been rough, but um I opened up to you and um that was honestly awesome. Just being able to let go and just literally release everything and be vulnerable about what what I was truly going through. It was just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I know we can always give that to God, but he also gives us people in our life so that we can feel it in our flesh, just releasing all those emotions. And so that really helped. And I was able to open up to my coaches the other day as well. And just being able to do that also helps them know like you're a real person. Yeah. Which I know is kind of crazy to sound, but like as athletes, we're always taught to like be that tough guy, like you gotta go. And especially being a captain, I feel like there's kind of an expectation to always have a good day and to um kind of just walk through life where everything's fine and you're good and you're a top player and you just gotta keep going. But it that's not in a reality, and if we hold those emotions in, it can actually be a lot more detrimental to your mental health than it is just to be vulnerable and let it out. So it's kind of almost freeing to be vulnerable. And that experience definitely helped me so much, just coming to terms with it's okay to be vulnerable, it's okay to cry in front of people. Like it shows you're real and that's totally fine.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and there's a scripture that talks about how like in our weakness he is strong. And I've always, you know, as I've just been an athlete, but then also like been involved in athletics and ministering to college athletes, like I see how I feel like the threshold for athletes is so high of just holding everything together. Whereas if you were in maybe another place in society, you might be able to be. I I'm I don't know, I have no data for this, but just because you're you're in these environments that are saying, like, you know, you gotta like push, push, push, like it's I think it's just like something that an athlete doesn't naturally think about first, like I need to expose this, like how much I'm struggling. They think I need to pull it together. Like that's the first thought. And so it's very counterintuitive to the athlete to say, Oh, I need to go talk to somebody. Yeah, you know, but then whenever you do and you're allowed that space, a trusted space to be able to just let it out and you're not gonna be judged, then I think that's in self, like tears can be healing in a in and of themselves. It's like, you know, all this packed into us, and then whenever we let those tears out, it's like whatever that energy or substance is in us just like has a place to exit.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, you know? Yeah, and you're not carrying that with you on the field. Like whatever mental stuff you're going through off the field affects you on the field. Like I can remember all the practices where I was so in my head to where I didn't have fun and I wasn't enjoying it because I was thinking about so much outside factors. But whenever you're able to release that, you're able to just play with the freedom and glorify God the way it was meant to be. You weren't meant to carry all this stuff by yourself. So when you release that baggage, it's like, wow, I'm a whole new person, I'm a whole new player.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, wow, that's so good. Yeah. The the the time, now I kind of think about it in the time of like, you know, whenever you make a mistake and there's players that can bounce back really quick, um, and players have a other players have a longer recovery time, that emotional state. It's I kind of think of that analogy the same way with like this whole thing about like if I can just the quicker I can realize that me just working, putting more effort, doing the exact same thing when there's something broken is not is gonna be futile. Like it's not gonna lead to anything. The quicker I can realize that in my mind and then do a diff something different, expose that. And we've talked about that in the huddle, is not just exposing just for the sake of exposure.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Right? Like we, James 5, 16 says, confess your sins to another and you'll be healed. And that's one step. You can do that, but then also you are also mentioned, like, go to Jesus. And and there's there's things that Jesus can show us about a perspective that we need or something that he has for us, and we're not gonna discover that even like about what he has for our situation, but even like who he is. Like I've learned so many things about like Jesus, the person of Jesus, like who he actually is, not by just reading God's word, which is where it starts, but also like experiencing him as that. Like if I never need him to show up for me as redeemer or restorer, then it's gonna be hard for me to really connect with that's who he is. Does that make sense? Yeah. And that happens when we expose like our brokenness and our weakness. Yeah. And then we are made that that strength he gives us. So, okay, so this is a hard thing though. And I don't know if there's a difference between girls and guys, but like what fears have you experienced? And maybe you don't anymore. I don't know, whatever you want to talk about that has to do with that fear of okay, I know that I'm I'm carrying something and this is getting really heavy and I need to expose it, but that's scary. Like, what does that what are some fears that you've experienced or that you might think other people experience that are kind of hard to break that barrier?
SPEAKER_02:I think the fear of not receiving the compassion you're kind of looking for. Um, because it's like the saying, you need a shoulder to cry on almost like you want to be vulnerable and receive that compassion back to be like, it's okay, I got you, and like here's how I can help you. Or even if you don't need like that feedback back, just being able to release it and someone being receptive, listening to you with their verbal cues and nonverbal cues, just someone who is accepting of your vulnerability. But I also think there's the fear of just for me at least, being depending on people. Like I don't like to depend on people, and I don't want to be a burden to people in a sense, and so I feel like whenever I'm being vulnerable, sometimes I'm putting my burdens on other people. And I don't want to do that because I'm always looking for how can I make you happy? Even though sometimes that's not necessarily healthy for I need to take myself into account sometimes, but I just don't want to be a burden to other people with my issues, especially when people are going through harder things than I am. And so I think that's also a fear that some people could have.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I think that a lot of people could relate with everything that you just said. Because those are, I mean, I I consider that, you know, when I'm thinking about who I'm sharing things with. Like just some of the things as you were talking, like, is this person or is this safe? Like, am I gonna feel safe? Or am I gonna share this and they're I'm oring my heart out and like they're distracted the whole time? Like that that's like doesn't feel great.
SPEAKER_02:No.
SPEAKER_00:Or like, are they gonna try to fix me? Or that will they really like listen? Yeah. You know? I was just thinking at FCA, we're going through the I am statements of Jesus, and in a few weeks we're gonna talk about the good shepherd and how he cares for his sheep. And so it is, it can be challenging to find people that have that understand, maybe have experienced Jesus as the good shepherd. I think that's where it starts, at least for me, as I mature my faith. The more I can experience Jesus and what he feels like when he responds to my weakness, then it's easier to extend that to other people. Yeah. Then I'm like, oh, this is what Jesus does. So I'll just do what he does, you know? How do you find those types of trusted relationships that you can share things with?
SPEAKER_02:Honestly, just it's kind of like counterintuitive almost, but like you need to be vulnerable with them, even if it's in small doses, so that like you can build trust with that person, and then they can in turn be vulnerable with you. And then it's just like building blocks of each time you've been vulnerable and honest with them, like you can trust them more and more to where you can get to the point where if you're s really struggling and you can release all that to them and feel trusted. But it's also just showing up every day and being kind, being like Jesus, you know, like loving on them, being kind, um, serving them whenever you need to. But it takes time.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, time. And you've had the time to develop those kinds of relationships. Can you speak to that a little bit? Like, what is being in the same place, being able to be involved, like in a local church, being involved with FCA from year to year to year? Like, how has that impacted your ability to be vulnerable with people?
SPEAKER_02:Like I said, relationships take time. And I had five years to build a bunch of relationships, even though people have come and gone. There's been a core group of people, like my coaching staff has been here the whole time that I've been here. So I'm really close with all of them and we know each other pretty well to where I can be vulnerable with them. Also, just people in my church, like Austin Davis, I've known him since my freshman year. And we've got to see Pine Lake College just be able to grow and go into a new campus together. Obviously, with FCA, I've had y'all for a couple years, but I also had Jimmy for the previous years. And so being able to stay at one place is huge. And like you said, it's getting more rare these days, which is unfortunate because I think it's cool to have a commitment to your school, especially if you're having a good time and just being able to stick out because you can build these communities, you can build these relationships that I think I'll be able to have for at least many years to come, hopefully forever. But you know, like I'll be able to have these relationships and be able to go back to them and not just be like a transactional relationship where I'm here for a year, use them and then leave.
SPEAKER_00:One of the things that Justin and I I mean, just in our experience, it was a long time ago. We graduated in 08. It feels like we shouldn't be that old, but you know, that feels lost coming back into this time frame in college athletics is that like what we valued in looking back was the the how formed we were in this time here. Like it's such a time in your life, college age, to be shaped and formed in the person that you'll be. I mean, you ask pretty much, I don't know, again, don't have data, but you know, like people that have that are in have families and everything, they look back at their college years and say, those decisions that I made in college, I'm living in those decisions today. You know, so the person you become in these 18 to 22 um year old, you know, this time frame is really important in who you're gonna be long term. And I I think you have to have that kind of long-term perspective to like actually value like this is a the a blip on the timeline of my life and who do I want to be? Um, and so investing in relationships, that's how we mature, that's how we grow. Um, one thing that I was thinking about was how, you know, you've been able to display your character because you've had time as well. And so I'm assuming this was just a thought that came to me as you were talking about your coaches. I feel like probably you being able to display a consistent character over the past five years has also played a role in the ability to be vulnerable with a coach, right?
SPEAKER_02:Yes. Cause whenever you're honest with them and you kind of build that trust with the coaches, they know what's true about you. And so, like when you're acting off, then they know. And so you're able to kind of slide into that vulnerability conversation a lot easier. Because if this was just my freshman year and then I was being fine and then I started acting weird because I was going through something, they might not know that you're actually going through something because they don't know you super well. And it takes time to build that kind of character profile for the both parties. Right. And so that's a good point. Uh it takes time. Yeah, honestly. Yeah. I mean, that's a theme. It just takes time.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. So, Maddie, as we wrap up this podcast today, we're gonna kind of shift from vulnerability to connection because that's another key point that we talked about this semester about just connecting with God and others. How do we relate with God? It is a relationship, but oftentimes it can feel more like we're just checking off these boxes, you know, doing our duties as Christians to go to church. But really, all of those things are actually supposed to enhance our attachment and connection to God, like strengthen the attachment we have with Him. So we're gonna talk about that, but then also our connection to others. So the first question I had is just has there been a time in your life where you felt like your walk with the Lord was more about checking boxes? And then if so, share a little bit about that. But then also like how you've moved into this more like intimate relationship with the Lord. Like, what was that trans? Like, what did that look like? What did that journey look like for you? And how do you feel about that, like your strength of relationship with God now?
SPEAKER_02:Honestly, I think that kind of part of my life ebbs and flows. Like sometimes it will be really good and I won't feel like I'm checking the boxes, but then other times I feel like I am. And I think it all stems from my prayer life, honestly. Whenever I'm deprioritizing prayer, I feel like I'm more checking off the boxes. And I think it's because prayer is key to our relationship with Christ. Because I mean, you imagine just having a relationship, let's say you and me, but all we're doing is like, I take you out to lunch, check. I have a meeting with you in the morning, check, but I don't like talk to you throughout my entire day. That's it's not a true relationship. And how can you have a loving relationship if you're just being transactional? Having a consistent prayer routine, or even just being spontaneous in prayer, I think is huge to be able to get out of that checking the boxes feeling, like waking up and having quiet time, like sitting in silence or just being aware of his presence consistently is huge. Like when I'm driving to school or soccer, just imagining Jesus sitting next to me in the car and just being able to talk to him about my day, whatever I'm going through, any struggles I'm going through, um, any good things that I'm doing, you know, or if I have a test and being like, hey, can you help me with the answers? Yeah. Just literally anything because all he wants to do is just have a relationship with you and talk with his child. I mean, I imagine my dad, like he just wants to talk to me and just picturing that, and then the much more love that Jesus has, which is so hard to imagine because my dad loves me so much and I love him. But he wants, he loves you so much, he just wants to talk to you. So having that open connection, even because he's there 24-7, 365, like even at 2 a.m. in the morning if you can't sleep, just being aware of him and kind of tapping in and being like, Hey, I'm here. I know you are too.
SPEAKER_00:So Yeah, and something you've said before is about how the Holy Spirit is like your the open communication. Like that's how we can communicate in prayer. And there's a lot of scriptures on that about how the Holy Spirit even will give us words when we don't have words to say, or the Holy Spirit will bring to mind things that Jesus has already told us that we've forgotten. We see that in the New Testament, you know, like he told them all kinds of things before he went to the cross, and that a lot of them freaked out. But I love that Mary was at the tomb. She was like, I I I like believe that she knew. Look, he said he was gonna be raised, she didn't know how, yeah, or how that would look, you know, but like she was expectant because this is what he said, you know. So the Holy Spirit bringing those things back to mind. I also love that when you talk about how we can be just aware of his presence and how that helps us, it's never that Jesus isn't there, it's that our conscious mind doesn't always realize that he's there. Yeah. You know, so the more that we can call our minds to attention that Jesus is here because scripture says he never leaves or forsakes us. So I've even experienced where in prayer, like I've been able to go back and see him at times in my life that I didn't see him initially in these pictures and memories or whatever. And now I see him, I'm like, oh my gosh, like that's incredible. He was there, he was doing this and things like that. So yeah, I think prayer is vital in keeping that relationship feel like this is relational. This is not just a transaction.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, and I think a lot of the time too, there's kind of like an image of prayer that people have in their mind where it's like you have to be on your knees by your bedside before bed. But prayer is not not like that. Prayer is literally an open communication all the time. Like I said, it can be in my car, I can be doing laundry and praying, I could be crying. It doesn't even have to be words, like he it there's a scripture that says like the Holy Spirit like speaks through for speaks for us, and that can be through our tears or it can be through people or the Bible, but um, prayer is not just one form and one way. There's a multitude of ways that prayer can happen, even through worship.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and maybe that's because it's more of like a heart connection. Like, can you tell? I can tell in a worship service when like my heart is yielded and like connected to whatever we're singing, you know. And then I can also tell when I'm like in my mind and just like saying the words, yeah, you know. So I think prayer is that like if it's coming through tears, it's because something's going on in my heart where I feel connected to the Lord and I'm expressing that some way. And so yeah, it could be through words, it could be through tears, it could be with other people, it could be next to my bed, you know? Yeah, whatever. But like I think, yeah, I think prayer and also worship kind of go hand in hand and keeping that relationship vibrant. And then we talk about whenever you can feel that connection with the Lord, that's really what John 17 talks about when it talks about union, like being so like you're in him, he's in me. Like there's this connection there. And so then even like taking that onto the court or the field, what does that look like to be connected at the heart level while you're competing? You know, like that's just kind of an open-ended thought for me.
SPEAKER_02:Like I don't I mean, I think for me, whenever I feel super connected to the Lord, it's more of just being able to play with freedom and be content, like being present in the moment and playing, but also knowing that if I make a mistake, I'm totally fine because I'm not defined by my performances, the good and the bad. I'm defined by my father in heaven. And I picture Jesus sitting in the stands cheering me on when I make a great play, but also when I make a mistake, he is always there and he's never gonna leave you or forsake you, like you said, if you lose a game or you make a bad play. He's always there. And so I think when you're really close with the Lord, you're able to play with that freedom and enjoy the gifts that he's given you a lot more so that you can glorify him to your best of your ability.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's it's gonna be that is my heart and desire is for athletes to step into this union and see how it starts impacting them in the quarter field because really our lives are worship to him. Yeah. Like as we connect to him at the heart level and we know him, then our words are gonna be worship, our actions are gonna be worship, our tears are gonna be worship and prayer, you know? It's not just this, like you said, this one picture. Okay, so we've I kind of mentioned already at the beginning of the podcast that you are on your last journey here in Starkville, yeah, approaching graduation. So as you look ahead, how do you picture continuing to cultivate the kind of authentic connections we've talked about, both with God and other people?
SPEAKER_02:Honestly, I'm I'm so sad to leave Starkville because this has been my home and I've made so many great relationships and I love it so much. So I'm kind of nervous leaving this and having to recreate these new connections. It's a scary avenue that I'm going to enter, but um, I think just sticking with my relationship with God and like keeping that foundation of my life is going to be massive because if I'm stable myself with that relationship, I think it'll be able to help me be comfortable stepping out and finding those new relationships and being vulnerable. But also just walking as a light of the Lord. Like people take notice when you walk as a Christian, like they're looking for you. Some may be looking for you to stumble, but some may be looking to be like, hey, she seems a little different. Like, what is it about her? And Jesus can radiate through you. So just exhibiting his love constantly, I feel like that's been my theme that I've learned throughout my college years is just being loving. There's a lot of hate in the world. Yeah. And I think you just need a lot more love. And so being able to love despite someone maybe hurting you, loving someone when they're succeeding over you, just loving in every circumstance because that's what Jesus did is kind of what I'm trying to focus on and maybe set as my foundation going into a new unknown.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. We have through the years just been able to encourage students that have come through FCA by just saying, Hey, look for this type of community where you can be yourself, you know, just develop, continue to grow in your relationship with God, but also connecting with others. But if you can't find it, go create it. And it's been really, I know that it's, you know, unknown coming up, but like there's also excitement in that where it's a new season. You don't know who God's already put in your future that you're going to connect with. Yeah. And what new opportunities and what this time has prepared you for what's next, you know? And it's been fun through the years to hear, you know, former student leaders that have come through the different ministries that we've been a part of and hear them say, like, yeah, when I was leading the sip these seventh graders at my church or when I was leading my small group, whatever, you know, and you're like, oh my gosh, or like being an FCA coach at a high school, you know? And so it's just been cool to see how these things do transfer. Yeah. And so I'm confident that they will, confident that people will be put in your life, that God will have them there. And also that as we walk in these things, I think it also attracts the similar type of people into our lives. Yeah. You know, as sad as we are to see you go, we're excited for what your life is going to look like beyond Mississippi State. And you have left such an impact, an imprint just in your boldness to walk in in your faith while you've been here. Like you have set such a standard and a model for other people on your team, but also within just other teams. Like so many people look up to you. So we're so glad that you could join us on this podcast. Thank you so much for coming. Thanks for having me. Yeah. And like this was our last, this concludes our podcast series for the fall. We do. I know. I know. We do six. Yeah. Justin's mentioned some other ideas. So we never know. We might have some bonus episodes, but as far as for our six episodes, this is it. So thanks for coming up on the end to just put an end cap on this great conversation we've had about vulnerability, belonging, authenticity this semester. Thanks for listening to the Creative To Be Podcast. To learn more about FCA at Mississippi State, visit www.msufca.org and follow us on Instagram at Hale StateFCA underscore. If you would like to become a financial partner, visit www.fca.org slash donate to sew into the work God is doing through FCA at Mississippi State.