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True success comes when we are able to take the focus off of ourselves
I knew from a young age that I would be playing professional football in the future. Football had always been something that came naturally to me. I was very athletic so any sport was easy for me to pick up, but there was something different about football. It was like I was made for it. I didn't realize it at first, but my hands have a supernatural catching ability. When I was younger, I didn't know that other people had to learn and practice how to catch. I thought it was something everybody could do.
When I was fifteen, I received a prophecy that I would have a long, injury free career in the NFL. Since that time, there have been numerous instances that confirmed that word. Multiple prophecies reiterated the same message, strangers would say things to me that they couldn't possibly have known about. Naturally it was confirmed as well - I was a star. I definitely made it in the top ten of any team I played for, if not top five.
My talent brought me a lot of attention. It seemed as though the entire town knew my name. I was in the paper. I even signed my first autograph at fifteen. I was getting very acquainted with the fame I expected to experience in my future.
When it was time to go to college, I realized I should have been more diligent in my studies. My academic record disqualified me from going to the major football colleges that I expected to pick me up. They were interested because of my talent, but wouldn't offer a scholarship because of my grades. I ended up going to a much smaller university than I though I would. After the second year, I had the opportunity to transfer to the University of Tennessee, whose football team was ranked among the top 25 in the country at the time.
At the University of Tennessee, I felt like I was on top of the world. The campus was huge, football players were treated like kings, and I was more independent than I had ever been in my life up to that point. I was walking on a cloud, until gravity kicked in. The University did not provide me with the scholarship they had promised earlier and my lack of finances forced me to return home with my dreams shattered. All hope for a professional football career was lost as far as I was concerned. All hope for a successful life in general was lost in my mind. The thought of spending the rest of my life in mediocrity was depressing. I couldn't see the point in life itself. It was a very dark time for me. I sank deeper into depression each day, I had no motivation to do anything.
It was months before I caught a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. I came across a Myles Munroe clip on YouTube that changed my life. In the video, Dr. Munroe was talking about vision and said that as long as you have a vision for your life, you have hope. His message threw me a lifeline and I clung to it with all I had. I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and decided that if I couldn't help myself then I would do everything I could to help others. That was when I started working for the Rescue Mission in my home town.
I gave my all to that job. In fact, I was so diligent in my assignment that eventually I was promoted to Director of Facilities. My effort resulted in all the residents being gainfully employed as well as a strict order and respect throughout the facility and the men I was in charge of. I was able to completely shift my focus from myself to the needs of others. I lost myself in serving. I continued to listen to Dr. Munroe's teachings so my understanding of God grew and my relationship with Him grew deeper and deeper each day. It was so fulfilling that I didn't mind working there indefinitely. I was content. That was when God brought football back into my life.
One day, a seemingly wealthy man walked into the shelter and asked me if I would like to play football. I was puzzled. I didn't understand why a man like him would be at a homeless shelter in the first place, and I definitely didn't understand why he was asking if I wanted to play football. In my mind, that chapter of my life was over. He explained that he was the father of the Philadelphia Eagle's coach and that he was going to get me back into football. I had never met this man in my life, so I knew that this was a God thing.
The truth is, when I was in college I was not ready for the platform that God said He would put me on. I had all the talent, but my character was lacking. I was gifted but irresponsible. My identity had been wrapped up in football instead of my creator. I was focused on the gift and not the Giver. God temporarily stripped me of everything that I put my confidence in until I was able to rest in Him alone. He used the Rescue Mission to develop my character and put my heart in the right place. My gift was refined through serving others. Once I had my sight set entirely on God and His plan for my life, not just what I wanted, He opened doors where there shouldn't have even been a door.
God is able to do abundantly more than we can ask, think or imagine. However, we need to submit to His will first. We must seek first His kingdom and righteousness, then all things will be added.