In 1993, I was a graduating senior at South Charleston High School, which is a public school in South Charleston West Virginia. At that time, I was the West Virginia High School Football player of the year, and was nominated a blue-chip High School All-American by national sports reporters. I received a full football scholarship to Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach Florida where I played four years and eventually dominated my competition. I played so well I caught the eyes of many professional football scouts.I was projected to get drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, as the old saints used to say “BUT GOD...” At the mid-point of my senior year only 4 quarterbacks had dared to throw the ball in my direction; I intercepted all four of them. Going into the second half of the season we were facing the best quarterback in our league, Howard University’s Ted White, who was eventually drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. He held numerous records in our conference. Not only that, the year before he had thrown 7 touchdowns against us in a 63 – 13 route. (None of those touchdowns where on me by the way) At the start of the game the question of the day was how many touchdowns would Ted throw that day? Well, I am happy to say that Ted had the courage to throw my way, but like the other Quarterbacks that year who had dared to throw my way, I had picked him off just the same and revealed in the glory. Ted White was not simply a courageous man, but he was a determined one as well because his draft status was being judged based upon his performance in this very game. Thus, not to be shown up Ted threw another long bomb in my direction, yet this was my day, my year, my time, and I intercepted this record-breaking quarterback for a second time that day. Ted decided after the second interception he would not throw the ball in my direction again. So the test of wills had ended, and I had come out victorious. However, an interesting thing happened following the second interception, after extending my body to dive and snatch the ball out of the air and away from my opponent I stood up in the end zone to celebrate my victory with the traditional end zone dance. It was there in the middle of my celebratory dance my future was forever altered. As my body was gyrating and contorting I stretch, strained, and finally tore my groin in two pieces. Believe it or not but I was unaware I had injured myself until the next Monday in the training room. When I became aware my groin was ripped in two, a million questions came to my mind. But, the number one was Why God? I was a young Christian then, and I did not understand why God would do this to me. I barely finished out the rest of the football season, and as a result of my injury, my draft status plummeted. On draft day my name was not called. Fortunately, my agent made a couple of calls, and I was picked up as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings, even though I was rehabbing intensely, my groin was still not healed. My situation looked beyond hopeless. I now realized thatGod put me in this position where I had to trust in His ability and not my own. I was called to tryout to makeMinnesota’s 53 man roster even though they had drafted three other people who played my same position and picked up two other veteran players who also played my same position one of them being former Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown. Like I said, my situation was hopeless. However, as the old saints used to say “BUT GOD”.Interestingly, I impressed the coaches more than any other player that year except for Randy Moss that is. And, during this process God gave me two dreams: One I was standing inside of the Minnesota Vikings home stadium, and two God showed me I would produce abundant fruit from playing football. Furthermore, through prayer God had spoken to my mother, and He impressed upon her heart that I would make the team. There I was with one leg and trusting God that He would follow through on His promise. Do you know what happened next? I was cut. Yep, I was the last man cut on the roster. But, even though I was cut something inside of me would not allow me to trust my circumstances more than I was trusting in God’s promise. So, two weeks into the season who do you think called my house? The Minnesota Vikings called me back and asked me to play on their team. And, for the next two and a half years I did just that, starting the last six games of my career and even being named most valuable player for one of them. Personally, I think the most remarkable thing in my whole experience was the fact I learned to trust in God, no matter what. At times God allows you to get in hopeless situations so that you are forced to trust in Him so that he can give hope to others. Seniors you are graduating into an extremely polarized society, in the middle of a war, and in a day when people doubt the very existence of truth itself. You are graduating in the wake of the largest school massacre in US History, and in a time when many people’s faith seems to be ebbing. Your are graduating in a Postmodern world in which everyone is encouraged to do what that feel, and will relentlessly defend that right even at the expense of reason. You are graduating at a time when men are rejecting authority, yet you have been raised to become leaders. I could go on and on and speak about unspeakable horrors in Africa and Asia, yet I think the Scriptures summarize our situation the best. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. You know Paul paints a bleak picture of our times. However, as the old saints used to say “BUT GOD” Remember God allows you to get in hopeless situations so that you are forced to trust in Him so that he can give hope to others.
We have another prophecy about our times that does give us hope. In Joel 2: 28-32 17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLDMEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy... 21 'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.' Even though God does tell us that times will be difficult, He also says that He will be with us and empower us to overcome. I don’t know about you but something inside of me will not allow me to solely trust the internet and television, something in my heart is screaming trust in God. In comparing the difference between faith and trust you can see what God is asking of you. I heard an analogy, which illustrates trust well. Imagine you were at Niagara Falls and you saw a clown who said, “Do you have faith that I can walk a tight rope over the falls with a wheelbarrow without falling to my death?” You maybe doubtful until someone you know comes running up and states that he has seen him do it 100 times before. At the word of your acquaintance you say to the clown, “I believe that you can do it,” Instantly, the clown jumps out on to the rope and quickly zooms up and back the line with wheelbarrow in toe. You stand amazed and begin to clap at the clown’s skill. As the clown returns he heads toward you, and he states, “Do you trust that I can walk this tight rope over the falls without falling to my death?” In which you respond, “Of course,” the clown then looks at you and says, “Well if you trust me, get in the wheelbarrow and go over the falls with me.” Having faith in someone puts you at very little risk because the consequences of their actions do not always directly affect you, but trusting someone requires you to make yourself fully vulnerable to them. Their level of competency and skill will have a direct affect on you and your life. The question of our day is, “Are you willing to get into God’s wheelbarrow?” In Hebrews the author states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” but without trust it is impossible to know Him. Trusting God makes you vulnerable to His will and His skill. Only through personally experiencing God’s ability in your life can you truly know Him. Do you trust God? These are the last Days and God’s word says that they will be difficult. And, they are. However, God also says that He will empower us, be with us, and ultimately gain victory through us if we choose to trust in Him until the end. Thus, this is your responsibility: trust God. Trust God to protect you when you are in danger. Trust God, regardless of the consequences, Trust in Him. Trust God when the wind is blowing at your back. Trust God even if the situation looks hopeless, trust in Him. Trust God when the task is simple. Trust God, regardless of the level of commitment involved, Trust in Him. Trust God when it’s not convenient for you. Trust God, regardless of the amount of pain you must endure to get it done, Trust in Him. Trust God when you are certain of the outcome. Trust God, when you are sure you will fail, trust in Him. Trust God when you are confident of the future. Trust God, no matter how many times you get discouraged, Trust in Him. Trust God, when you have reached the pentacle of your success. Trust God, when you have hit rock bottom, trust in him. Trust God when you are the center of attention. Trust God when you are all alone, trust in him. Trust God when you are certain you will have a long life. Trust God when life has reached its end, trust in him.
Seniors don’t ask why you where called to live in these difficult times, God does not always answer our whys; however, even if he does, above all else He requires you to trust in Him. Just Trust Him!!! God allows the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust alike; however, if you trust in Him you will gain access to His ability. Ultimately, this is your edge in life; this is your advantage. God promises to be with you. Therefore, go forth and shine. Strive for the highest heights, reach for the loftiest goals, and make the deepest sacrifices. Because you are His children no matter what goals you set, no matter what objective you strive for, you will achieve them, only if you put your trust in HIM. Thank you for this opportunity to speech to you today. I value this occasion. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; may He lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.
