Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
We all know the words of this famous Christian hymn. It was published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and clergyman, John Newton. It’s the story of my life.
THE BEGINNING
When I was a little boy, I had a problem with my ears that caused constant fluid build up. I had to get surgery every other year from the time I was 2 years old until I was 16. This fluid impaired my hearing and also slowed down my learning ability for all of my childhood and even through high school.
As a result, nothing in school came naturally to me, but when it came to sports, I was a natural. As a young boy I played soccer, baseball, basketball, and football. Football was the sport that I developed a deep love and passion for. It gave me my confidence, and I felt at peace being on the field.
Early on, I made up in my mind that one day I would be an NFL running back. Surely after all the two-a-days, sweat, blood, tears; the early 3-4am workouts that I would do on my own and all the accolades I received for my game, there was no way that I wasn’t going to make it to the NFL.
I received a football scholarship offer from Clemson University, which was the answer to my prayers. But just three weeks before National Signing Day, my scholarship was dropped. But I wouldn’t let that stop me. I was carrying a big chip on my shoulder because football was my life, and I felt as if I was nothing without it, so I had it determined in my heart to make it to the League! Not long after, by the grace of God (even though I didn’t realize it at the time) I received and accepted a full scholarship to play for the University of Massachusetts Amherst
THE DETOUR
After college, I had the privilege of attending the rookie mini camps for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. But it was during the Redskins camp that I experienced an injury like never before. It was a kickoff drill, and when the coach blew the whistle, I took off running. That’s when I felt the tear. It was pain unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
I went to the doctor about a week later and was told it was just a groin strain. I thought to myself, “I know what strains and sprains feel like, and this feels a lot worse!” But that’s all I had to go on. A month after that I got a call from the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL telling me that they wanted to sign me. My health was questionable, but my dream was to make it to the NFL, so I could not pass up the opportunity. This could be the key stepping-stone to make it to the big show one day.
After the first practice, I couldn’t run anymore. The doctor there recommended that I see a specialist, because it seemed as if I had a sports hernia. While there one of the players decided to witness to me and speak to me about the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He explained to me that he had been through a similar situation and that if I focus on my relationship with the Lord then things would start to get better. But first, they got worse. After 1 day of practice, the team cut me, and it turned out that the doctor in Canada was right. I had a sports hernia that required surgery, with a healing time of about 6 months.
I went straight into depression mode. I was lost and had no vision for my life. I was hopeless, stressed out, and felt like a failure. I tried coping with drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. It took a while before I decided to get the surgery because mentally I wasn’t there. When I finally did, I had much time to reflect. I thought about what the other player in Canada said to me about the Lord. I took heed and started reading the Bible for myself and started attending church searching for answers.
THE COURSE CORRECTION
Suddenly I realized that my injury was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I was no longer bound to the game of football, feeling like that was all I had in my life. I was free in the Lord. I found truth in His Word and learned to delight in it. I decided to participate in His salvation plan and finally understood my purpose here on earth.
For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
It was only by God’s grace that I didn’t make it to the NFL. I wasn’t grounded like I needed to be spiritually, and who knows where I’d be now if I had gotten caught up in the fast-paced lifestyle of a professional athlete. I was blind to my purpose—thinking it was completely wrapped up in football—but now I see that God has a bigger plan for my life, one with eternal value and a chance to share His Word and The Good News with others who are lost and looking for truth like I was.
We must realize that a lot of times our biggest disappointments are really our biggest victories. A personal relationship with our Lord and Savior is far better than silver and gold. You know why? Because money is not eternal, but learning of the Lord’s Word and following His salvation plan for our daily life no matter what sacrifices you may have to make will get you an eternal reward with Him in heaven. The things of this world are only temporary, but if we do what Jesus told us to do in His Word, then we will find that He is our greatest victory.
Justin McGrath says
May 16, 2016 at 11:21 amWow! What an undeniable expression of God’s grace in your life Tony! I never heard all of the details of your story until now. You have a powerful testimony that will help many find their eternal purpose! Thanks for sharing! It’s a definite boost to my day!
Anthony says
May 17, 2016 at 6:25 pmThanks Justin! Glad I was able to bring a boost to your day. To God be the glory! Yes, I pray that my story will help many find their eternal purpose.