| When I entered the NFL as a young Christian kid, I immediately built friendships with some men of God around here and made sure I planted myself with those people. As a result, my faith and maturity grew like that of a tree planted in fertile soil. My friends, who also desire to walk with God, help provide nourishment and the pruning I needed, and still need in my life.
I'm thankful for the maturing process that God continues to work in me as I grow in the fertile soil consisting of Godly counsel, Godly fellowship, time in Scripture and prayer. Of course, it's not always easy. I still fall short and people have to set me straight. And, there are many times I have to go back to a head coach, a position coach, a player, a friend, my wife or anyone else and humble myself and apologize for something I did.
I think, in time, I'll learn to show restraint, in the character of God, on this side of the situation. Until then, I'm thankful we have an advocate with God. If we're faithful and just, he's faithful and just to forgive us.
As our lives and actions are motivated by the Biblical principles of living, dealing with finances, loving our spouses, training our children and serving others, we will produce a crop that brings glory to God.
I'll tell you what, there is no room to boast at all in terms of when I look at myself. I'm a weakling kind of guy. But there's a grace there to do what I'm asked to do on the physical side, meaning tackling or running or catching. It has been a real honor and privilege to witness the awesomeness of God in how he's gifted me in terms of how I've been able to do this stuff physically. It's incredible.
Motivation as a player doesn't change. It shouldn't anyway. As a Christian, motivation is driven before the game even starts, before you ever come to practice. And that motivation is to be the best you can be. Scripture talks about doing whatever you do with all your heart as unto God.
Whatever you do in word or deed. So you have to be motivated by something bigger than practice or the game or the money or the victory.
As a man of God, I think by God's grace, that is what has driven me to excellence. I don't always win, but I'm driven to give my best all the time. That's what's important. I'm driven out of what God has placed in my soul, and that includes devotion to my wife of 15 years, our three children, the learning center I started, my teammates and my NFL career.
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