Ricardo Rogerio de Brito

ALEMAO:

WHAT PROFITS A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSE HIS SOUL?

I was born into a poor family. I had to do all kinds of things to survive: I scraped the garbage for metals, I sold manure, I painted walls. In 1980, I played as an amateur in Lavras, in the State of Minas, East Brazil, and there for the first time I had a chance to play soccer professionally. I applied for Botafogo (Rio) and I passed the tests. But I still had two years of struggle before I finally made it into professional soccer. A Christian athlete, seeing my difficulties, took me to church. Well, there and then I struck a deal with God: I accepted Jesus and He would give me everything He could. I was not able to put God in the right place in my life. My trust in Him was very superficial. But God had mercy on me and rescued me from three different accidents which could have sent me to hell!

In 1983 I was selected to play for the Brazilian Squad and I participated in two World Cup tournaments - in 1986 in Mexico and in 1990 in Italy. My career was well under way. I had everything money could offer me, yet I couldn't feel like I was happy. Even in the midst of wild parties and strong stuff like that, I felt depressed. It was as if God was asking me whether I had found what I really was looking for.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?(Matthew 16.26)

In 1991, as I was returning home from Lavras on my way to Rio to catch a plane for Italy, I stopped at a red light, right in front of a small church building. Inside the pastor was shouting his sermon. I can't remember a single word he said, but at that very moment God said to me that He had given me every opportunity to be saved by Jesus and find true happiness. That phrase pierced my heart very deeply. On the plane I began to read my old Bible which I had never used. I knelt right there and then and I asked Jesus to enter into my heart to forgive my sins, and to change my life. People were staring at me, they found it strange that a guy like me would kneel on the floor like that, suddenly. My prayer was quick but it was sincere. When I finished praying, I was a changed person. I experienced a tremendous joy inside my heart. Nobody could understand why I was laughing . . .

After that experience I had many struggles, both in Italy and in Brazil. I learned that true happiness doesn't depend on money or on soccer. I am joyful because Jesus lives in me. Without Him, there is no life, there is no joy. . . .

I want to serve God wherever I am. He will keep perfecting me in this desire of mine. He will make His will clear for me, so that I and my family may be faithful to Him.

I want to be in the presence of Jesus. Always.

To know how to gain your soul, read Matthew 16.26 and Acts 16.27-34.

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.