WHAT KAKA, ADELBAYOR AND KJ CHOI HAVE IN COMMON
I am an ardent sports fan. When studying for my engineering degree in Australia, I would spend hours watching Test cricket and ODIs during the summer holidays. I enjoyed watching the run making skills of Alan Border and Geoff Boycott and the pace of Michael Holding's fast bowling. I was equally excited about the Aussie Rules football and eagerly followed the fortunes of the North Melbourne Football Club.
When my family and I had a brief stint in the USA because of Grace’s job posting, I joined the passionate sports fans there in following the NBA and the MLB. I was and am still a Yankee fan although I was sad that Joe Torres, the manager left.
Now I am a keen BPL fan and I look forward to the weekly football highlights because the live matches are played too late for me.
Folks, this week I want to highlight three sportsmen who have discovered the key to great success, not just in their respective fields of sports but in life itself. To me, these three have discovered how to live Matthew 6:33 and reap its full benefits.
Many of you would have read the feature on Emmanuel Adelbayor in the Star newspaper on 4th Feb 2009. This Togo and Arsenal striker, who is one among the best and most sought after goalscorers in the BPL shared the secret to his success. He said,
“Everything I do in life I put in the hands of God, my creator”
“God gave me the chance to be where I am today and He’s the One that can take it all away from me…. There is nothing more important for me than God”.
Secondly, most of you had already heard me talk about Kaka, the Brazilian and A.C. Milan player who won the 2007 Fifa Footballer of the year.
A devout Christian, Kaka had said in his acceptance speech that God has more in store for us than what we can think or desire.
At another instance, he said, “I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not".
Many saw the moment he removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt after the final whistle of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup match.
Indeed, Kaka is open about his intentions. In his interview with Atletas de Cristo, he said:
“To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is”.
The third Christian sportsman is K J Choi, the first Korean to earn a PGA tour card. He earned $900,000 by clinching his third PGA Tour title at Forest Oaks last year and donated 10 percent of his winnings to the church, explaining in a note that it was a tithe.
In Golf Digest, he was asked, “In one of your wins in Greensboro, it has been reported that you gave $90,000 to the local Korean Christian Church which leads me to ask, how important is your faith to you in the way you live and play golf?”
KJ Choi said, “For me, my life as a golfer is like a large tree withstanding wind and rain but still standing strong and tall. Sometimes when I am in a very difficult situation and feel like giving up, I am thankful to know that the Lord is looking over me and holding out his hand to guide me. I give prayers every morning and evening and this brings calmness to my lifestyle. It also allows me to bring the same attitude to the golf course, which results in greater patience during a round. This is how Christianity assists me with my everyday lifestyle".
Folks, the scripture tells that we are all sportsmen/sportswoman placed on this earth to compete for Him. If we want to be successful, let us learn from these exemplary sportsmen and win in this great race of life. Let us put God first in every decision we make in life and we will have great success.
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:7)
Folks, Matthew 6:33 works in all economic situations. Pray it daily.
Love,Pastor Ron Hee
I am an ardent sports fan. When studying for my engineering degree in Australia, I would spend hours watching Test cricket and ODIs during the summer holidays. I enjoyed watching the run making skills of Alan Border and Geoff Boycott and the pace of Michael Holding's fast bowling. I was equally excited about the Aussie Rules football and eagerly followed the fortunes of the North Melbourne Football Club.
When my family and I had a brief stint in the USA because of Grace’s job posting, I joined the passionate sports fans there in following the NBA and the MLB. I was and am still a Yankee fan although I was sad that Joe Torres, the manager left.
Now I am a keen BPL fan and I look forward to the weekly football highlights because the live matches are played too late for me.
Folks, this week I want to highlight three sportsmen who have discovered the key to great success, not just in their respective fields of sports but in life itself. To me, these three have discovered how to live Matthew 6:33 and reap its full benefits.
Many of you would have read the feature on Emmanuel Adelbayor in the Star newspaper on 4th Feb 2009. This Togo and Arsenal striker, who is one among the best and most sought after goalscorers in the BPL shared the secret to his success. He said,
“Everything I do in life I put in the hands of God, my creator”
“God gave me the chance to be where I am today and He’s the One that can take it all away from me…. There is nothing more important for me than God”.
Secondly, most of you had already heard me talk about Kaka, the Brazilian and A.C. Milan player who won the 2007 Fifa Footballer of the year.
A devout Christian, Kaka had said in his acceptance speech that God has more in store for us than what we can think or desire.
At another instance, he said, “I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not".
Many saw the moment he removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt after the final whistle of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup match.
Indeed, Kaka is open about his intentions. In his interview with Atletas de Cristo, he said:
“To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is”.
The third Christian sportsman is K J Choi, the first Korean to earn a PGA tour card. He earned $900,000 by clinching his third PGA Tour title at Forest Oaks last year and donated 10 percent of his winnings to the church, explaining in a note that it was a tithe.
In Golf Digest, he was asked, “In one of your wins in Greensboro, it has been reported that you gave $90,000 to the local Korean Christian Church which leads me to ask, how important is your faith to you in the way you live and play golf?”
KJ Choi said, “For me, my life as a golfer is like a large tree withstanding wind and rain but still standing strong and tall. Sometimes when I am in a very difficult situation and feel like giving up, I am thankful to know that the Lord is looking over me and holding out his hand to guide me. I give prayers every morning and evening and this brings calmness to my lifestyle. It also allows me to bring the same attitude to the golf course, which results in greater patience during a round. This is how Christianity assists me with my everyday lifestyle".
Folks, the scripture tells that we are all sportsmen/sportswoman placed on this earth to compete for Him. If we want to be successful, let us learn from these exemplary sportsmen and win in this great race of life. Let us put God first in every decision we make in life and we will have great success.
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:7)
Folks, Matthew 6:33 works in all economic situations. Pray it daily.
Love,Pastor Ron Hee
