14 Years Ago Florida State’s Sports ...

. 14 years ago Florida State’s sports information department had big news for Clay Shiver last year: Playboy magazine had selected him for its preseason All-America football team. But quicker than he snaps the ball, the 6-foot2, 280-pound center said, “No thanks.” he went on to say, “My mind was made up before it was offered to me. It’s almost funny how God works these things out even before we’re faced with them.” You see, two weeks prior to the announcement his team’s chaplain had said he might well get the award. So Shiver spent two weeks in prayer. Even though his eyes were on the Pros, and even though this honor is supposedly one of the highest that can be received, Clay saw it as an endorsement of Playboy. Says his chaplain, “Clay really gave up being named ‘the best player in the country’ at his position. It was a witness to people in the football world who wouldn’t have known about Clay’s faith.” One Christian teammate said, ‘I don’t know if I could have turned it down.’ “Apparently Clay knew “To whom much is given, much is required....He who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Said Clay, “I don’t want to let anyone down, and number one on that list is God.”Clay Shiver had listened to Christ! How can you better listen? Where do you need to courageously obey? Remember, listening to God requires absolute, courageous obedience to Christ. To know God’s will is life’s greatest treasure; to do God’s will is life’s greatest pleasure. Just ask Clay Shiver. Better yet, just listen to Jesus.