Gamers
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received
to serve others, as faithful, stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1
Peter 4:10
Whether or not you
are a Super Bowl or football fan, you are finding football information seeping
through your doors, chimney and heating vents this week. Everything
from East Coast weather, Doritos’ commercials, blizzard watches, locker room
chatter, Broncos and Seahawk strengths and weaknesses, and New York traffic, is
fair game. However, one topic that
is generally put on the back page (if ever reaching it) is the spiritual life
of both the Seattle Seahawk’s and Denver Broncos’ leaders.
Quarterbacks Russell
Wilson and Peyton Manning’s leadership will be on display for millions to see. But behind the helmets, pads,
cleats, and athletic abilities, are men who truly are exemplary in life. We will look at Russell Wilson today and
Peyton Manning tomorrow.
In
a recent interview with Mars Hill Pastor Mark Driscoll, four Seahawks players
and an assistant coach discussed their faith in a video entitled, “The
Making Of A Champion.” (You Tube).
The coach stated that "Jesus
is better than anything... even better than the Super Bowl, better than an NFL
career, any of that." Quarterback Russell Wilson was one of the
players nodding in agreement.
In a video many have viewed entitled, "The Making of a Champion," Wilson says, "I was kind of a bad kid," explaining that "I used to beat up kids and bite kids and do stuff all the time." What changed? "I had a dream that my dad passed away, and that Jesus came into the room. He was knocking on my door, saying, 'You need to find out more about me,'" Wilson said. "So that Sunday morning I ended up going to church and that's when I got saved."
Did his salvation guarantee a life of success? Not at all. Wilson was part of a very athletic family—his father played professional football, his brother played in college, and his sister is one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country. However, six years after his conversion, his father died at the age of 55 due to complications from diabetes. Wilson grew to be only five-feet-eleven-inches in height, a fact that made him an unlikely professional prospect.
He was eventually drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks. Five quarterbacks and 69 other players were taken ahead of him. Surprising everyone, he beat out veteran competition and became the starter as a rookie. He led his team to the playoffs and played in the Pro Bowl. This year his team went 13-3 and will play in the Super Bowl.
While some athletes get in trouble for comments, Wilson posts daily Bible verses on his Twitter feed. During the NFL season, he visits the Seattle Children's Hospital weekly and has visited with soldiers at the local military base. He is National Ambassador of the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association. His explanation: "I realized that God had given me so many talents, and I wanted to give Him all the glory."
In a video many have viewed entitled, "The Making of a Champion," Wilson says, "I was kind of a bad kid," explaining that "I used to beat up kids and bite kids and do stuff all the time." What changed? "I had a dream that my dad passed away, and that Jesus came into the room. He was knocking on my door, saying, 'You need to find out more about me,'" Wilson said. "So that Sunday morning I ended up going to church and that's when I got saved."
Did his salvation guarantee a life of success? Not at all. Wilson was part of a very athletic family—his father played professional football, his brother played in college, and his sister is one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country. However, six years after his conversion, his father died at the age of 55 due to complications from diabetes. Wilson grew to be only five-feet-eleven-inches in height, a fact that made him an unlikely professional prospect.
He was eventually drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks. Five quarterbacks and 69 other players were taken ahead of him. Surprising everyone, he beat out veteran competition and became the starter as a rookie. He led his team to the playoffs and played in the Pro Bowl. This year his team went 13-3 and will play in the Super Bowl.
While some athletes get in trouble for comments, Wilson posts daily Bible verses on his Twitter feed. During the NFL season, he visits the Seattle Children's Hospital weekly and has visited with soldiers at the local military base. He is National Ambassador of the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association. His explanation: "I realized that God had given me so many talents, and I wanted to give Him all the glory."
As
we have mentioned, “No person has every talent…but every person has some talent.” As we offer them to God, He is able to use them
to bring glory to Himself. While maybe
we can’t throw a 70-yard bomb or make a game-saving tackle, using your gifts
just might allow you to save someone… in the biggest game called “life.”
Terry
Risser
Reflections:
1)
What gifts has God given you that others would see?
2)
How can you offer that talent to God for His glory?
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright 2014 - Terry Risser
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