"God never abandoned that original calling—He was simply dismantling my human anchors so that one day I would preach His power, not my own." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (also Romans 11:29 & 1 Corinthians 2:4–5)
The Story Begins
At a very young age, I felt a powerful, undeniable pull from God—a calling that He was going to use my personal testimony as a tool to help others come to Him. But as human beings so often do, I immediately tried to take control of the wheel. Being a gifted athlete, I began preparing my life’s work for God from that standpoint. I looked at great football players who excelled at the highest level and used their platform to speak out about God, like Walter Payton. Since I played running back too, I convinced myself that was exactly how God was going to use me. I built my entire future around reaching the NFL to preach the Gospel on that massive stage. While playing in a game, I suffered a devastating injury that put my entire football career in jeopardy: I tore my ACL in the mid-1980s. In those days, a torn ACL was catastrophic. Doctors told me I might not even be able to run again, let alone play football. But I was determined to prove them wrong, believing that God was bigger and that I was still going to make it to the NFL for His glory. I did return to football—playing a new position that actually suited my athletic ability even better—but something deep inside me changed. My pastor, who was a close personal friend, took me aside to explain why God had allowed this to happen. He told a 14-year-old kid that this was simply part of God’s plan and that I should just accept it and move on. In my limited teenage understanding, I couldn't comprehend God’s will versus my will. I had my life planned out around the NFL platform, and when that was stripped away, I felt hurt on purpose. I resented God and hated Him for doing it to me. That bitterness launched me down a long, dark road of tragedy and self-reliance. Looking back at 55, I understand what my pastor was trying to say and I don't blame him at all, though his approach could have certainly used some work! God never abandoned that original calling—He was simply dismantling my human anchors so that one day I would preach His power, not my own.
The Lesson & Meaning
When we step back to look at the full scope of a life testimony, it is easy to focus only on the broken pieces, the wrong turns, or the hard seasons. But the truth of God’s Word is that no chapter of your life was an accident, and no season was wasted. God’s sovereignty means that long before you ever recognized His presence, His invisible hand was actively guiding your steps, preserving your life, and constructing a foundation that would withstand the fiery trials ahead. Our ultimate strength was never meant to come from our own physical toughness, athletic ability, or personal willpower; it comes from standing firm in the Lord and relying entirely on the power of His might. Every lesson learned, every boundary tested, and every victory won was quiet preparation for a much larger calling. When we look back through the lens of faith, we begin to see that God places specific people, supportive families, and seasons of raw discipline into our early lives to anchor our character long before the storms hit. Our early instruction creates a lifelong duty to declare His wondrous deeds so that we may proclaim His might to another generation. Your story is not just a collection of personal memories; it is a living, breathing testament to God's enduring faithfulness intended to light the path for those walking behind you. Walking in the power of the Lord during the mature seasons of life requires a conscious choice to surrender your past—both the triumphs and the deep wounds—into His sovereign hands. When you stop trying to carry the weight of your own life on your own terms, you allow God’s grace to turn your former struggles into a platform for His glory. As you read through these chapters, do not just look at a man’s journey; look for the faithful God who carried him through it all. May this testimony encourage your heart to stop leaning on temporary worldly anchors, to recognize God’s hand in your own past, and to step boldly into the daily strength that only Jesus Christ can provide.
