Christian artist Michael W. Smith says that many of his life principles have been shaped by what he’s learned from sports, particularly through his friendships with three star athletes: Orel Hershiser, Brett Butler, and David Robinson.

“Those guys spurred me on in my Christian faith as I watched them speak boldly about their relationship with Jesus Christ,” Smith said. “It seems that a lot of us who speak about Jesus Christ are often misread. It’s frustrating when things we say are taken out of context. But I noticed that Orel, Brett, and David weren’t afraid of the press. As a ‘Christian artist,’ I’m expected to speak out about my faith. Yet there are some days when it’s harder for me to do this than others. From the standpoint that Orel, Brett, and David have also been in the public eye, we understand each other in a unique way. There’s kind of a bond there. We’re praying for each other that God will use us in a big way. I’m a fan of those guys, and they’re fans of my music. We have a lot of respect for each other. We encourage each other. It’s always nice to have someone you’re comrades with—whether you’re in music or sports—and our friendships go much deeper than our professions.”

Make it a goal for your life to surround yourself with friends who encourage you and help you to know God better and to make Him known. In return, be that type of friend to others.