The best part about being at a school like NCU is that no matter who you are or what you do, at the end of the day you are just another face in the crowd. Athletics does not make you a national star or get you on ESPN, its just a part of who you are and what you do to become a better person. Its not just about building character or revealing character, its learning what it is like to fight through the hard times, to resolve conflict, to enjoy the victory, to know that you played with respect for your opponents no matter how good or bad they are. I still think it is cool how our athletes can go from competition on the road during the day to worshiping God in PG on a Wednesday night. Its not just about worship but interceding for your fellow students and student-athletes. Finding that one person you can talk to about anything and letting it all go because you know they will listen and pray for you. Our community is about more than just friends, it is support in all areas no matter what you have done. If people judge you then that is their problem but know that those who truly care about your well-being are not going to judge you, they are going to pick you up and help you when you need it most. A place like this makes it tough when people leave because those who had the most impact on you might not be there anymore when you need them most. The only thing you can do in that situation is find someone else who can fill the role and from the looks of it, there should be plenty of people. I'm sorry, I forgot I was still talking about NCU... In life, there are rough times that come your way and you are not defined by your job (hopefully) but you can be in the battlefield at work everyday and at night be worshiping God and interceding for your co-workers and family. When you need someone to talk to, you know of that one person who will just let you open up your heart to them because they can help and they will listen. Unfortunately these people move on and you are left to wonder what you are going to do but if you trust those around you, you can most definitely find someone else to step in and take the role. It is a weird feeling but something powerful is going on and you cannot let anything stop it from continuing. The pursuit of happiness is not relegated to the good times, it carries on in the rough times when you are looking for the escape.
There are many instances of people not using their fame in the and they just blend in with the crowd. Being humble is one of the most key characteristics of being a Christian. Jesus could have said that because he was the son of God, he was entitled to such and such a thing here on earth and no one could take it from him because God would strike them down. This is very well a true statement but Jesus knew that in order for everything to make some sense to the people, he had to fit in with them and just be a normal person. He used his knowledge and great spirit so that he could influence those who would listen and ultimately get them to follow him. When he felt alone, he knew that God was always there to hear his cry and get him through the tough times. Feeling like an outcast is not something that Jesus does not know about. He did not chase every women on the street and vie for their attention. Jesus tried to draw little attention to who he was because he knew how much of a controversy it would be. He wanted people to come to him and he would meet them when he knew what they were looking for. Just to be able to physically walk with Jesus and sit down with him would have been an amazing experience. To meet the one who died for me so that I could have life would be the greatest honor ever. To actually sit and discuss scripture with him and listen to how smart he was would have been so amazing. We still have the opportunity today, not so much on a physical level but spiritually we can connect and hear his still small voice. We need to eliminate the noises in our life and lend a careful ear to him and he will guide us through anything we could ever face.
I am praying for those of you that read this, if you do read it I would like to know so I can specifically pray for you especially if I know you are going through something. Continue to pray for me as my everyday struggle continues but as he continues to give me strength everyday, I can feel the tide turning.
God Bless,
Joseph Robinson
