Albert Johnson

Have you ever heard of a Sunday Christian, or a Holiday Christian? I have, because I was one myself. As a child I remember going to church off and on, particularly on holidays when the family would get together. Growing up I had a very inaccurate view of God, I knew about Him, but I didn’t know who He truly was and what He was truly about. I would half way bless my food and sometimes say my prayers at night. I thought God was there just to help if I got into trouble or to fix my problems.

As I got older and began to learn little things about God, I began to search for ways to validate my Christianity so people would know or think I was a Christian. I started trying to hang out with “godly” people and made efforts to go to church every Sunday. I would do and say the right things around the “church” folks and even pray the right things in my prayers. I went to chapel before my games in college. I even walked forward during a church service and joined a church while I was home on vacation. I became a master pretender. I had it all wrong though. What I was doing on Sundays had nothing to do with Monday or the rest of the week for that matter. My selfish life was only providing me temporary satisfaction. I put more faith in others rather than God. My relationship with God was filled through pastors and team chaplains but I didn’t know I needed a personal relationship with God Himself.

I have made some bad decisions in my life and hung out with the wrong crowd at times. I didn’t realize what affect these choices had on my life. I’m no stranger to drugs and alcohol, foul language, or pre-marital sex. I would sell God out at the drop of a dime to please my friends and/or myself. Everything appeared fine on the outside, but my heart was hurting on the inside.

I realized I needed to change when I looked at everything He had blessed me with and saved me from. In my short career I have faced some adversity. I blew out my right knee my rookie year in the NFL and I couldn’t wait to get back on the field. Going into my second year, my roommate challenged me to read my bible just 5 minutes a day. Every time I thought I had it figured out, God revealed something new to me. I thought the money, attention, playing on TV, and being able to afford material things would comfort my soul. I began to only pray for God to take care of my career and allow me to be able to provide for my family. That season I blew out my other knee. I was devastated and I was faced with a choice. I had to choose to continue my walk with God or get mad at God for allowing this to happen and go back to my sinful life apart from His love and plan. I choose to go on with God. I was released after that season and I knew that it was just another trial that would be a test to my faith and character, so I began to just pray for another chance.

Not until I invited Jesus into every aspect of my life and began to trust him with everything, did I start being a better, husband, father and friend. He has protected my family, finances and career from college, to the CFL and now the NFL. I’m thankful for my health because I was given another chance to glorify God in doing what I love to do. Many people asked why, and still others said it wasn’t worth it. However God was telling me something else. I have been tested and I have testimony. With his love I have overcome obstacles that others would have given up on. I’m still living my dream and without God I may not have had that opportunity. Regardless of how my football career ends, I know I’ll have an eternal career with Christ. I needed to do more than just pray. I had to surrender myself to the Lord.

If you would like to know more about Jesus and what He can do for you, just click the button on the left side of your screen to change your life.