Make the Most of LifeSample

Like pastors sometimes say: I am preaching to myself, too. On occasions, life does just get the best of us. Consider the story of Job. Job was a righteous man in the Bible. Despite his circumstances – family deaths, stripped of wealth, sickness – Job stays faithful. And despite the end result – faithfulness – Job grows weary at points.

Now let me tell you a story about myself. My last year at Harvard, the year that I was supposed to become the all-time leader in receptions and yards for football and put myself in a great position to be in the NFL, I tore my MCL in my knee (and yes, Harvard University has a varsity football team). It happened in the fourth game of the season, which is bad news for an Ivy League football player. A season-ending injury in the fourth game of the season means two things: your eligibility is finished, and your career is over. There was nothing in my aforementioned toolbox that could help for the next week, at least on this occasion. Though, as time passed, I found an inspiring verse, Galatians 6:9, that galvanized me to keep trying to change my thoughts about the current situation. The verse states, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” As a result, I did not give up in trying to reframe my mindset. The reframing still took time, but most importantly, I kept pushing and pushing. Fast forward to now, I am in the NFL, a rookie on the Kansas City Chiefs. 

So what can we take away? God teaches us a few lessons: 1) trust and rely on Him, 2) realize that we cannot control everything; but instead, give thanks for the opportunity of life, 3) life can be unfair and that’s okay, and 4) don’t grow weary in chasing after God, let Him lead you to change your mindset, which will then lead you to make the best of your situation. 

Reflection:

 What area(s) in your life can you stop controlling and surrender to God?