Reagan Kohler's career as the Goalie for Spring Arbor Women's Soccer has been one built on patience, perseverance, and lots of success. After her first two seasons saw her get only 10 games of action, Kohler burst onto the scene in her junior year. Kohler started every game the Cougars played, racking up three Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week honors, one National Defensive Player of the Week honor and First-Team All-Crossroads League honors, along with also being recognized as the Crossroads Co-Defensive Player of year. So far during her senior season, she has earned Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week one time, along with also eclipsing 100 career saves, and helping her Cougars to a 7-1-4 record at the time of this writing. A senior who has had a lot of success in her career, Kohler has used that to step into a leadership role, not only helping her teammates on the field, but also off it, leading team devotionals and praying for her teammates daily. Kohler lives her life as a follower of Jesus first and foremost, and that overflows into all that she does. She explains how she specifically integrates that into her sport:
How do you connect your spiritual and athletic life here at SAU?
"I connect my spiritual life with my athletic life by praying with and for my team daily, leading or attending devotionals with my teammates, and reminding myself that the abilities given to each of us come from God. We should look to glorify Him with these abilities daily!"
How do you see God currently working in your sport?
"I have seen Christ working in our team in many ways, especially this past preseason when we went to the Bahamas. God really opened the hearts of each of the girls, and we were able to be truly vulnerable with one another as we sought unity in our group. God has continued to work in the way our team loves each other and has each other's backs. The trust and vulnerability we created right off the bat in preseason have translated into our season tremendously. I am expectant and excited for all the ways the Lord will continue to work in and through the women's soccer team!
Do you have a favorite Bible verse or spiritual practice that encourages you as an athlete?
"One of my favorite passages that I like to remind myself of before games is Psalm 23. This passage calms me and reminds me of the Lord's faithfulness daily through the gifts and abilities He gives. At the beginning of this passage, it says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." This gives me a peace that reminds me that if all I had was Jesus, I have all I need. No score or result will ever fulfill me, so reminding myself of this truth gives me the freedom to play and not live in fear."
What advice would you give to younger athletes who want to keep faith at the center of their sport?
"To younger athletes, I would remind them that your identity is NOT in your sport. You are so much more than the sport you play. And although this may sound blunt, the least cool thing about you is your sport. I have to remind myself of this each day, as I want to remain fulfilled by Christ and nothing of this world. Remembering that your identity is not placed in the sport you play will give you the freedom and joy to play well — all to glorify Him!"
In what ways has being a part of SAU Women's Soccer helped you grow in your faith?
"Being a part of a team has helped me to prioritize servant leadership and to grow in loving others, even when it gets hard. It has helped me realize that I must humble myself before I can best serve and love others like Christ has. Being part of such a special group of girls has been a huge blessing, and I have grown tremendously throughout these past three years."
How do you wrestle with the struggle of putting your identity in Christ vs. the temptation of putting it in your sport/success?
"Honestly, this has been a huge lesson for me this past year. I've really been leaning into learning how to navigate putting my identity fully in Christ and not in anything of this world. The phrase I used earlier was, "The least cool thing about me is that I am a soccer player," and I must remind myself of that often to keep my priorities straight. There is so much more that God wants for me than just to accomplish being a successful athlete. He wants to use me in this sport to minister to and lead others well. One Bible verse that helps me remember this is:
Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
