In a season where victories and championships dominate headlines, Oklahoma Softball is turning attention to something deeper: their faith. Led by team chaplain Sarah Roberts, the team has embraced a powerful symbol—holding up four fingers—rooted in a biblical story of courage, belief, and divine presence.
Chaplain Sarah Roberts recently shared the spiritual meaning behind the gesture. It’s not just a hand signal; it’s a declaration. “Why is Oklahoma Softball holding up four fingers?” she wrote. “Because we serve the God who is the Fourth man in the fire.” The reference comes from the Book of Daniel in the Bible, where God shows up in the furnace with three faithful men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, preserving them from harm.
The powerful passage from Daniel 3:24–25 recounts how King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to see not three but four men walking unharmed in the fiery furnace. “The fourth looks like a son of the gods,” the king exclaimed. For the Sooners, this is more than just scripture—it’s a source of strength.
This mindset—believing that God is always present, win or lose—has become a defining feature of the team. Whether it’s a home run or a strikeout, the Sooners know they are never alone. “Win or not, He’s with us! Homerun or strikeout, He’s with us!” Roberts declared with conviction.
For Oklahoma Softball, faith isn’t something they practice off the field—it’s what fuels them in every pitch, swing, and slide. The four fingers are not about the scoreboard. They’re about surrender, trust, and unity under a greater purpose. It’s a public display of a private conviction.
Roberts also highlighted the team’s shift in mindset: “We don’t think ‘What If’ but ‘Even If.’” This echoes the unwavering resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:18, who stood firm in their faith regardless of the outcome. “But even if He does not rescue us,” they said, “we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
This “Even If” mindset speaks to resilience—not just athletic toughness, but spiritual grit. It’s about playing with courage even in uncertainty, knowing that their identity and purpose are anchored in something far greater than the game.
As the Sooners continue their postseason journey, their story is about more than stats and rankings. It’s about a team that knows who walks beside them in the fire. That belief has become their battle cry—and a powerful witness to everyone watching.
They don’t just play for each other—they play FOUR each other and FOUR the living God. This team has found a way to blend excellence with humility, faith with fire, and talent with testimony.
Sarah Roberts’ words are more than just encouragement—they’re a rallying cry that resonates across the softball diamond and beyond. “So freaking proud of this team,” she said, and it’s easy to see why. They stand together, believe together, and fight together—not just for wins, but for something eternal.
In a world where pressure and performance can easily overshadow purpose, Oklahoma Softball reminds us that it’s possible to be both fierce competitors and faithful believers. And as they hold up those four fingers, they point to the One who never leaves them—no matter the fire.
