From a tough basketball player to a child of God, freshman Aubrie Swain can testify to her shift in identity at Taylor University.
Swain moved to Alabama from Fort Wayne, Indiana after seventh grade. There, she was introduced to basketball. Growing up with three older brothers, she had no choice but to be involved in sports.
She had always wanted people to see her as capable and strong as her brothers. When she began to play basketball, she saw an opportunity to form a separate identity from her brothers.
Swain played basketball for fun during high school. During that time, she worked hard to grow her identity in the sport. After her senior year ended, she felt empty, realizing she wanted it to continue being part of her life.
She began going to bed at 8 p.m. and waking up at 3 a.m. to increase her skills as a player.
“I played for six to eight or nine hours a day, and it was mostly either pick-up games or five-on-five with a bunch of guys,” Swain said. “I was always the only girl in the summer who would play. That helped a lot because guys are more athletic, stronger and faster.”
Aided by her natural talent and determination, Swain made it her goal to be the best, with the intention to play basketball overseas after college.
“My whole life I’ve been trying to find my identity,” Swain said.
She always wanted to be known as being attached to something else.
Swain decided to attend Taylor University after being signed on by basketball Coach Jody Martinez. Although a Christ-centered community was a factor in her decision, Martinez was an additional reason she came to Taylor.
“I knew he was a coach who could change and develop my game in a huge, positive way,” Swain said.
After attending Taylor, Swain experienced a massive shift in her mindset. God opened her eyes — she wanted to be known as God’s child.
Swain realized the importance she placed on basketball was in the way of fully committing her life to God.
“In this season of my life I want to be known as a good basketball player, but more than that, I want to be known to glorify God,” she said.
Before, God had never been the central focus of Swain’s life. She always felt that her identity needed to be tied to what she could offer.
Swain felt that basketball hindered her from being able to fully glorify God. Her new goal is to put God first and use the abilities he has given her to spread his light.
“Playing overseas I want to get connected to a missions organization wherever I get placed and be able to share the gospel with my team and my coaches and while I’m there,” she said.
Swain feels that putting God as the center focus of her life hasn’t affected her basketball abilities negatively, but she believes it has helped her become a much better basketball player.
She realized she did not have to drive her body to the limits with difficult workouts and eating the right foods in order to feel worthy.
“I was so focused on myself and wanting to glorify myself and my team,” Swain said. “When you switch your mindset to glorifying God, everything just gets so much more peaceful, even in the midst of chaos.”
Although she continues to dedicate her quality time and energy to basketball, living life with God as the focus has helped her realize that she is enough, separate from basketball.
