Some of my good friends know my story is anything but simple and mundane. After God changed me & I surrendered to his will my days have been exciting. Even more exciting is I have a partner on this journey with me... my best friend and wife Amanda. We've definitely experience the uncertainty of a dark valley and the joys of a mountain top. But through it all one thing hasn't changed, we've always depended on God. And God has always revealed himself through some painful and joyful circumstances... He is faithful and true too his children. One amazing story is how I ended at Asbury College on a basketball scholarship to finish my degree. I'll have to blog that story some other time but for now I'll focus on some recent graces and success I've experienced through the game I love: Basketball.
Basketball was once an idol to me... it was the god I served and let me tell you it is a brutal god to serve. It doesn't satisfy, it always turns its back on you, it can control your emotions, and its not your identity no matter how hard you try to make it. Its a game! A blessing! But nothing more... I didn't realize this until God saved me and showed me EVERYTHING was given to bring Him glory and I should never exalt the gifts above the Giver. I had things out of wack, I put basketball on the throne of my heart where God deserved to be. Then I was crazy enough to ask God to bless me in my pursuit of basketball and ignored him when I didn't get what my selfish heart wanted.... to build up my own glory & kingdom.
Long story short... Amanda encouraged & supported me to use basketball in a way that glorifies Him. How do I do this? Just play with an attitude that win or lose, healthy or hurt, success or failure I'm going to find my joy in Christ not in basketball. I'm going to use basketball as a platform to show the world that my treasure is not in my jump shot, or victories, or individual awards... Nope, my treasure is Jesus Christ and I want to share him with you. Yeah I play ball but let me tell you what I really love & whats greater than making to the NBA or hitting that game winning shot: Christ. Playing college basketball has opened so many doors to preach the gospel to students, teams, prisoners, campers, strangers, and teammates. So if you don't know, I'm here to tell you that basketball is a means to a greater end (Jesus Christ)... Basketball is just tool.
Since this time I really feel like God has blessed my efforts not only off the court but on it. I was recently named conference player of the week (two weeks in a roll) and have been having a great junior season. I even hit a game winning 3 pointer in overtime in front of a packed gym & also had my career high that night (36 points). I broke that a week later scoring 37 points. But even in those moments of joy & success I cannot help but humble myself before the Lord and say, "Not to me Oh Lord, but to your name be the glory. Amen" God exalts those who humbles themselves before Him. I realize that whatever happens, I'm an unworthy servant who is just happy to serve my KING. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." -1 Tim. 1:17
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