FAITH IN PRACTICE: Liberty's Harris found her self-confidence in God

Entering into teenage years, Liberty volleyball player Sariah Harris dealt with some issues that many teenagers deal with. But being drawn closer to God during that time period helped her to conquer those issues, and now she wants to spread God's love with others.

"I drew closer to God my freshman year," Harris said. "I was dealing with some depression and some self-confidence issues. My dad told me that there is greater work for me to do, and that I was headed for something bigger with God. That changed my life."

Harris is close with her father and that relationship was strengthened as Harris found God.

"He has been my liaison," Harris said. "When I didn't understand something, I would always go to him, and he would give me advice."

So as she worked on growing closer with God, Harris became more confident in herself and her abilities. Harris attends Faithful Worship Church in Jackson now that her family lives in in town after living in Mason.

"Before I wasn't confident, I didn't look for friends, I wasn't involved in many activities and I didn't try to give my opinion," Harris said. "I was that girl in the corner. Jesus gave me confidence. I then went out for volleyball, went and found friends and began to share Him with others."

Harris wants to share her experiences with others now and help them to conquer their issues with self-confidence and depression.

"I want to help them in any way I can because the more I put myself in God, the more He works in my life," she said.

Her faith has also helped her and her Liberty teammates to grow closer.

"We have a devotion on Wednesdays, and that has allowed us to bond," Harris said. "That bond is showing on the court."

Harris serves as one of the prayer leaders on Liberty's volleyball team, but the title is not what is special to her.

"I take pride in the fact that I can spread my faith to my team," she said. "I am proud to be there for them. They help me in ways I never knew, and I try to help them with things that I have gone through.

"They are my family, and everyone wants their family to go to heaven. So if I can help them get to heaven, I have done one path of my life."

Helping people is not just something current in Harris' life, she is looking to do that as an occupation in the future.

"I want to go into psychology," she said. "At first I wanted to be a doctor, but I want to be able to help and give advice. I can give them a faith push."

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Favorite verse of Sariah Harris

Proverbs 3:5-6 —Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.