Discovering the Real Jesus in Monroe

When I worked as a pastor to students and faculty at MSU I had interaction with a number of athletes. Once, e.g., before the football season began, a pre-season All-American defensive end called me and wanted to talk. He told me that he expcted to play in the NFL, that he knew God had gifted him as an athlete, and now he saw the importance of getting his spiritual life together. We met, talked, he already was a follower of Jesus, and during that meeting he got some things right that needed to be straightened out.

In today’s Free Press there’s a nice article on the presence of Jesus in the Detroit Lions’ locker room. It’s led by quarterback John Kitna. Kitna says, “I’m not naive enough to think that my life is about football. God uses football to shape me. But he also uses it to give me a platform to proclai the gospel.”

Linebacker Boss Bailey says, “God is doing wonderful things in this locker room. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Receiver Roy Williams is one who attends the regular locker room prayer gatherings.

Kitna holds Saturday night Bible studies, and about 20 of the Lions’ team attend.

Last week, when Kitna got injured and later went back into the game, he said on a post-game interview that God had healed him. This really got my attention. The FP article says: Kitna “knew it when he told the media last Monday that a miracle had healed his concussion. He knew there are those who find it laughable to suggest God is interested in football, let alone the Detroit Lions. But in Kitna’s view, why wouldn’t he? “He is omnipresent,” Kitna said.”

(The picture is of me watching the Spartans beat Bowling Green a few weeks ago.)