The other day, a few friends and I found ourselves in a lively text conversation. We live hundreds of miles apart now, but technology has a way of making old friendships feel close.
I posed a simple question:
If you could only keep one for the rest of your life—music or sports—which would you choose?
No more listening to music if you choose sports. No more watching or following sports if you choose music.
It sounds like a silly hypothetical until you actually have to answer it.
For many of us, sports have been woven into the fabric of our lives. I grew up watching ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The intro is engrained in my memory. We remember certain games and championships, heartbreaks and heroes. We may even have established traditions. All we have to do is look back at the recent World Cup to know that sports bring people together. Sports give us stories to tell and memories to share.
But music…
Music does something different.
A song can transport us back to childhood. A hymn can steady our hearts when everything else feels uncertain. A melody can express joy, grief, hope, or longing when words seem inadequate. Music fills weddings and funerals, road trips and quiet mornings, celebrations and prayerful moments. Music helps us remember who we were, where we were, and what we were doing. Music can connect two people in a way nothing else can, including sports.
For followers of Jesus, music carries an even deeper significance. Long before most believers owned a Bible, they learned theology by singing it. The Psalms were Israel’s hymnbook. Paul encouraged the church to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” as a way of teaching and encouraging one another (Colossians 3:16).
Faith has always had a soundtrack.
When I considered the question, my answer surprised me less than I expected.
I’d choose music.
Not because I don’t love sports. I do. I enjoy the competition, the drama, the teamwork, and the stories as much as the next person. However, music has accompanied every season of my life. I grew up playing piano and wanting to be a musician. I worked in radio for a while because of my love of music. I know music like some guys know stats.
Music deepens my worship, encourages me in uncertainty, comforts me in grief, and reminds me of God’s faithfulness
Sports entertains. Music transforms.
Perhaps the better question isn’t whether you’d choose music or sports.
Maybe it’s this:
What is shaping your heart?
We’re all listening to something. The voices we allow into our lives, whether through music, media, or the culture around us, are forming our loves, our hopes, and our perspective.
I encourage you to choose wisely.
If you’re a follower of Christ, make sure the soundtrack of your life regularly reminds you of the One who is worthy of all praise.
What about you?
If you could only keep one for the rest of your life—music or sports—which would you choose? I’d love to hear your answer and why. Drop your response in the comments.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
The Devotional Guy™ 
A pleasure
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Thanks Dawn!
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Hands down—music!!
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Can we share more articles through email and get to know ourselves better?
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Interesting perspective, Arnold. Thanks for sharing. Listening well is definitely a discipline that takes intent and practice. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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To me, both are overrated. I’m a people watcher and listener. Watching people in the act of daily life- on the street or bus, at the park, in the cafe- is high entertainment. Listening, however, is another matter. Listening to someone with the intent to hear them out is a discipline that takes a lifetime of practice.
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Your welcome! It was very fun to read:)
I have a debate too!
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Thanks for sharing 🙏
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I would have to choose music. While I love sports, I have never been that good at it, and I honestly don’t know how I would survive without music. 🙂
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Thank you 🙏
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You are welcome dear!!
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Very interesting. I would definitely choose to keep sports I can’t live without it!
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Thank you 🙏
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Thank you Olivio.
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Music 🎶
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Yes true that…. 👍
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Gotta say Music! hands down
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Muzeek.
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Music. You can play the piano at 90 and it regulates emotions. What is a movie without it’s background music? Every day must have music!
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Thank you, KhanG! I’m thankful you read my post and took time to comment. I’m glad my words resonated with you. Blessings 🙏
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Thank you for sharing your perspective on this topic. Your comment is insightful and helpful in understanding the flip side of the coin.
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Thank you, Julius. I appreciate your comment.
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Thanks for this, Lelia. I appreciate your comment and that you took time to read and engage with my post.
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Thanks for sharing these excellent insights, Chuckster. You almost lost me at 1/2 time shows, but I get (and concur) with your overall premise 😂!
You’re spot on. Music is woven into virtually every aspect of our lives, including sports.
Thanks so much for reading my post and taking time to comment. Excellent!
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I would have to choose the music; it’s everything- it’s what connects us all before we even realize there is a connection sometimes. It’s healing; It’s like you said we have to choose it wisely.
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Such a meaningful perspective. I’d choose music too—it has a unique way of connecting us to memories, emotions, and faith. I especially love the thought that what we listen to shapes our hearts. Beautifully said, and a wonderful reminder to choose our “soundtrack” wisely. 🎶❤️
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Music for sure
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Can you imagine how boring the Super Bowl would be without the 1/2 time show, with no music in the commercials??? I’m thinking also how hard it would be to sell light beer with no recycled 80’s rock to backup the bikinis and smiles.
Come to think of it, isn’t the quarterback’s hiking staccato cadence attributed musically to tribal war chants?
“SET…
HUT-HUT!”
WHOOO-AHHH!
HUT!
SHA-KA-LAKA—BLUE 42!
OMAHA!”
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Thanks for reading and for subscribing to my blog, Brittany!
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Agreed!!
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