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Football and Faith

Thanks to a friend of mine, I attended the recent “Athletes in Action” supper that was held in town. Saskatchewan Roughriders Kerry Joseph and Wes Cates as well as defensive line coach Ron Estay came to talk about their faith and about how God has blessed them.

One of the things that impressed me was the fact that these guys did not have to be here. In fact, I asked Wes, “How many hours of community service do the Riders require you to do?” His answer, “None! We do not have to do anything if we do not want to. They encourage us to get involved in the community, but we are not required to”.

These three men gave up their day off to drive down here, speak at the supper and drive home again. Why would they bother doing that?

Kerry Joseph answered that question by saying (and I am paraphrasing here), “As football players, we have some influence on others. People look up to us and listen to us, so I have decided to use that for good. If being a football player gives me an opportunity to speak to others, then I am going to use it to speak about God”.

He went on to point out that everyone one of us, regardless of what we do, can influence someone else. Each of us is a role model and an example to someone. The question that Kerry left with us is, “How are you using that influence? Are you using it for God?”

So, what do your co-workers see in you? What priorities are you teaching your children? Do others see the joy of the Lord in you? What legacy are you leaving?

I was impressed that these men would choose to spend their free time to encourage others to think about their relationship with God. It made me think, “I need to be doing the same thing”.

Maybe our example of faithfulness can encourage others too.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

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