God virtually actually makes use of tales to offer us hope amid the world’s creeping darkness.
In a video posted to YouTube on Sunday, former NBA first-round decide AJ Griffin, who turned 21 final month, defined why he has chosen to stroll away from a profitable profession in skilled sports activities and pursue a brand new calling as a full-time Christian minister.
“I gave up basketball to observe Jesus,” Griffin stated.
The choice, it appears, got here on step by step.
In reality, solely as a youngster residing by way of the worst yr in latest reminiscence did Griffin totally embrace the relinquishment of self-will that Christianity requires.
“This actually has to start out off with me giving my life to Christ in 2020,” he stated. “I really accepted Him again then. He discovered me.”
At that time, the now-former basketball star emphasised one thing that many Christians expertise.
“I do know we are saying we discover God, however He finds us,” Griffin added.
When God discovered Griffin, basketball instantly appeared much less necessary.
“My values began to vary. My coronary heart began to vary. I believe earlier than — I believe basketball was my all the pieces,” he stated.
Accepting Christ, nonetheless, satisfied Griffin that “we’re all made to glorify God. We’re all made with a goal.”
Later within the video, he defined that goal.
“I simply wish to proceed to maintain sharing the excellent news of the gospel to as many individuals as I can,” Griffin stated.
A primary-round decide of the Atlanta Hawks in 2022, Griffin loved a really respectable rookie season, averaging practically 9 points-per-game as a 19 yr outdated.
In 2023-24, nonetheless, his taking part in time and manufacturing dropped off considerably.
Thus, on June 27, the Houston Rockets acquired Griffin from Atlanta as a part of a three-team commerce.
Together with different younger gamers competing for 2024-25 roster spots, Griffin then performed within the NBA Summer League. He averaged 11.6 points-per-game on a team that included different younger gamers and first-round draft picks like him.
In different phrases, Griffin may need performed nicely sufficient to earn a spot on the Rockets’ training camp roster.
As an alternative, nonetheless, in line with The Athletic, Griffin determined to retire from the NBA for what the outlet known as “undisclosed private and family-related causes.”
The Rockets, subsequently, didn’t waive Griffin for poor efficiency. The participant made the selection to retire.
Furthermore, in line with the sports-salary-tracker Spotrac, the 21-year-old former first-round decide had a complete assured contract value greater than $17 million. He walked away from a few of that.
Athletes, after all, can compete within the sports activities they love whereas nonetheless following Jesus.
Within the NBA, for example, nobody has higher exemplified the Christ-centered taking part in profession than Orlando Magic ahead Jonathan Isaac.
Likewise, reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months C.J. Stroud, quarterback of the Houston Texans, has proclaimed his Christian religion. So, too, have star soccer gamers at Stroud’s alma mater, Ohio State University.
Nonetheless, one can not preserve each a full-time taking part in profession and a full-time ministry.
Griffin, subsequently, deserves credit score for giving up the previous and discovering his new goal within the latter.
In fact, for blessing us with well timed and uplifting tales wherein He finds His followers and touches their hearts with a need to desert worldly pursuits, all glory belongs to God.
This text appeared initially on The Western Journal.
