Ron Coder played at Penn State University and was drafted in 1976 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. During training camp, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. After four years with Seattle he played with the St. Louis Cardinals. Later, Ron played on two championship teams with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, before retiring in 1985.

Ron Coder

Imagine playing on a nationally ranked football team in college and winning a major bowl game on New Year's Day. I can. I remember when our team, Penn State, beat Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, 41-20. I'll never forget the day we won, nor my thoughts that night as I wondered where my life was heading...

"What am I doing here?"

After the game, I went to a night club to celebrate with a friend and his fiance. After a while they left, and I was left sitting on a bar stool thinking, "What am I doing here? Am I really happy? Am I enjoying life, or is this just a temporary satisfaction?"

Well, I quickly brushed aside those thoughts. But a few weeks later, a couple of teammates invited me to a meeting. When I walked into the room I saw smiles on these guys faces and a sparkle in their eyes I couldn't understand. It was as if someone had put an electric blanket around my heart. The love I felt flowing out of these men was amazing.

I listened as some of these men shared about their relationship with Jesus Christ. I had always thought that Christianity was a sissy thing. But these men weren't sissys. Some were 6'5" tall and weighed 275 lbs! I saw that each man in that room had a personal relationship with God. That was something I wanted too.

The next week I came back to the group and made the decision that would change my life forever. I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to come into my life.

No longer in control

Since then, people have asked me, "How has your life changed as a Christian?"

One thing I can say is that before I knew Jesus Christ, I wanted to be in control of everything -- girlfriends, grades, success in sports. I wanted everything my way. Outwardly I was a real nice guy, but inwardly I was very selfish.

As I've come to know Jesus Christ, He has come to control my life. It's like I've given Him the reins and said, "Here, I want you to steer my life. You know the best way for me to go. I trust you to guide me through everything in life -- the good times and the bad."

It's a great feeling when you can turn your life over to Christ. Inside I feel the peace that He promises to give, "a peace," the Bible says, "that passes all understanding."

This doesn't mean that life is always going to be a bed of roses. Sometimes, I don't understand why things happen the way they do. In 1978 I was forced to sit out the entire season after I ruptured two disks in my back. I had major surgery and had to face the real possibility that I might never play football again. I lay in the hospital bed and realized I could experience a strength greater than my own, a strength that comes from God.

The same is true today...

Whenever I face tough times, I pray and ask the Lord to help me. And He does. God gives me the confidence to handle any situation that comes along. With Him I know that all things will work out the way they're supposed to.

I found this true as a player. And now that I'm retired, God has continued to be there guiding me every step of the way.

I've learned that careers change, but God doesn't change. God's love for you will never change. That's something to think about as you think about who you are and where you're going.

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.