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™ 
I’m not very sporty and only like to watch sport live but not on tv, I find it very boring, contrary of my hudb as bd who can stay hours glued to the tv watching tennis tournaments 😱
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I chose sports because they are much more than just physical activity for me. They help me release stress, clear my mind, and express my emotions. At the same time, sports help me grow both physically and mentally by teaching me discipline, perseverance, and how to overcome challenges.
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Thanks Ortensia. That is the consensus so far.
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Music, not even have to think about it😜
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Thanks Lori. I appreciate you sharing.
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Definitely music!
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Tom, I enjoy a lot of different music. My music palette is pretty eclectic. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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You are absolutely correct. What type of Genre is your music?
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Thanks for reading and responding. I agree!
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Music forever. It changes the way your soul feels .
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Thanks for reading and responding!
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Thanks for responding to my post, Dr. Shelly! I agree—music for me also.
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Music
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Music all the way. That’s my choice. Music inspires, transforms, ignites worship, praise and more.
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Thanks Kelly!
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Great observation, Christopher! Thanks for reading and stopping by.
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Music
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definitely Music, sports creates an outlet but music covers everything!
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Thanks for reading and sharing your perspective, Marta. I appreciate the added insight
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Never cared for sports so it’s a no brainer for me: music. But much like what you say, it does transport you. I relate music (and food) to people, places, even feelings. So hands down music FTW!
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Music does provide our memory with a soundtrack. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Ed.
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For me, it’s definitely music. As you said, it transports us back and unlocks memoies seemingly long buried. Yes, sports is entertaining, but music is the framework of my life.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing your encouragement.
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Great question Samy. I really intended to leave it up to the reader—I play music as well as listen to it and I can’t really see myself living without either. While I continue to stay active, I’m not playing any sports BUT I do love to watch a good game and I actively follow sports. Thanks so much for reading, asking a great question, and sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks Luca! I will certainly do that. Thanks for reading and giving your feedback.
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Thanks for your insights, Tim. I appreciate your perspective. Thanks for reading my post and dropping your thoughts.
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Really enjoyed this piece! I write philosophy and literature essays at lucazaniwriting.com, if you’re interested I’d love for you to check it out.
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It’s a no brainer for me.
My brothers loved sports so much by the time it got to me I couldn’t stand competition.
Now I’m old and couldn’t play sports if I tried.
I still play, listen and write music everyday.
I guess we’re both just fans or our interests.
But music is as important as water to me.
Baseball? 🤷🏻♂️
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Amen!
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🙏
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Thank you 🙏 Yes, let’s please stay in touch, Steven, continuing to pray for one another.
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Yes, because while bodily exercise is of some benefit, music (before it was taken over by AI) was able to delight the soul like nothing else! God bless you, brother, and I hope to keep in touch.
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So music for you? That seems to be the overall consensus. Good hearing from you Steven!
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Music seems to be the consensus among those I’ve talked to and who have participated in this conversation. Thank you so very much for reading and sharing your thoughts. I’m enjoying reading your blog this morning. Blessings 🙏
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Read this if you think people never notice the energy you’ve stopped giving.
One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make in a relationship is believing that distance goes unnoticed.
It doesn’t.
People may not react immediately…
But they feel the change.
The shorter conversations.
The delayed replies.
The fading effort.
The affection that slowly becomes obligation instead of intention.
Energy always changes before actions do.
And people who genuinely love you often notice it long before you admit anything is wrong.
The strongest people aren’t always the loudest.
Sometimes they’re the ones who stop arguing.
They stop chasing explanations.
They stop begging for consistency.
Not because they stopped caring…
But because they’ve accepted that love should never have to be forced.
Remember this:
When someone truly values the relationship, they don’t ignore repeated changes in effort.
They pay attention.
They ask questions.
They try to understand.
But if the distance keeps growing…
There comes a point where self-respect becomes louder than hope.
That’s when they stop trying to convince someone to choose them.
Because love isn’t about holding on to someone who’s already letting go.
It’s about recognizing when your effort is no longer being met with the same intention.
The saddest part is that many people mistake silence for indifference.
In reality…
Silence is often acceptance.
The acceptance that you cannot fight for a relationship by yourself.
And once someone reaches that point…
They usually don’t leave out of anger.
They leave because they’ve finally accepted what they’ve been trying not to believe.
Never assume someone doesn’t notice.
Sometimes they notice everything…
They just choose dignity over another argument.
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No brainer!
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I choose music . You’ve said it all in the post! Thanks
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Is it only “no more following or watching Sports”? I could live without, or does it involve doing sports as well? Thaaat might make it trickier for me 😂
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Music!
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Well, at least you keep trying things out. Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing your experience.
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Music, Brother.
It feeds the soul best.
Your question is tough: I love them both as I used to be a sports reporter in our university paper in college. But, truth is, i feel they both don’t love me. I can’t sing well because my voice is not that good; tried learning the guitar but we both gave up on each other (yes). Never reached the competitive stage in basketball, tennis, badminton, just gave up pickleball recently. But still walking these past seven years… funny question revealing profound truths and realities. Hahaha!!! Thank you.
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I love both, too, Nicola. But if I had to choose it would be music. Thanks for sharing!
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Yeah, me too. Thanks for sharing!
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This makes sense to me, Eileen. It sounds like music has played a constant role throughout your life. Thanks for sharing!
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I love both Rainer but it would have to be music. Music was created by God and fills the heavenlies which is why I think it connects and leaves a deep impression on us.
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Absolutely music!!
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I would choose music, I have always love music and enjoy to sing in different choirs as well as a
Praise band. Music has always calm my soul and it makes me want to dance. I was never much of a sport fan.
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Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts, Alan. I appreciate your perspective and insights on this topic. Thanks for reading. Blessings to you and your bride!
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I concur with your phrase: “Sports entertains. Music transforms.” From that standpoint, I remember how certain hymns have led me to Jesus and have sustained me spiritually in hard times – things that sport has never done for me. Interesting discussion Rainer 😉
God bless you and Terri today brother 🙏
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