One of the best ways to bear everlasting fruit is to share your Christian testimony with other people. This morning we have a YouTube clip with part Drew Brees’ Christian testimony.
Drew gave this testimony earlier this season in an interview with Jill Ewert from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Drew talks about God’s plan for our lives.
-He talks about overcoming hardship.
-And how God can turn bad things into the best things in our lives.
Drew also talks about what it means for him to be a dad. But I especially want you to hear the heart of Drew’s Christian testimony. Listen later on as Jill asks Drew: “How did you first come to faith in Christ?”
(I TRANSCRIBED MUCH OF THE TESTIMONY AFTER THIS INTRODUCTION, IN CASE OUR EQUIPMENT FAILED.)
(CLIP 0:01-5:29)
*Since coming to New Orleans in 2006, Quarterback Drew Brees has been dubbed a Saint both on and off the field. One of the most decorated passers in the NFL, Brees has also gained the reputation of being one of the most community oriented and faith driven athletes in the game. . .
JILL - Do you kind of feel like God brought you here (to New Orleans) for a reason?
DREW - Oh without a doubt. I believe that coming to New Orleans was truly a calling, and something that I was meant to do. And, you know the circumstances behind me coming here -- if I hadn’t had my injury in San Diego, there’s no telling where I would have ended up. . .
-I absolutely believe that God puts you in positions that, at the time, you may kind of be wondering, “Why is this happening?” or “You know I just don’t quite understand it.” But you have to just trust and have faith and believe that it’s all for the greater good. And I truly believe that that’s what happened here.
JILL - Looking back, especially over the last 3 years, how have you changed as a man and as a man of God? And what’s happened since you came here?
DREW -I definitely have learned a lot along the way. And, you know the circumstances from what happened in San Diego to me coming here, you know. When I had that injury in San Diego, at the time I felt like “This is the worst thing that could have ever happened to me, at the worst time, -- potentially career ending. Just all those things, -- and you start to feel sorry for yourself. And you start to ask, “Just why! Why me? Why now? -- All of those things that are very easy to ask. And I think that a lot of people have those moments in their lives where they pray, “God, why me? Why now?”
-And I looked back a year after that, -- after I had already been here a year and everything. And I said, “God, You know what? -- That was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. . .”
So going from the worst thing that ever happened to me to that same event being the best thing that ever happened to me, because otherwise I never would have had the opportunity to come here and be a part of this community, to be a part of this rebuilding effort, to take my career to the next level here.
-To you know, to meet people and be exposed to things that I otherwise would have never had the chance to do. And it was just special. And I feel like I was such a mentally tougher person, a stronger person, both with my job as a professional, as husband, and then soon after as a father, and then, in my faith.
JILL - How has being a dad changed your life? (I DIDN’T TYPE THIS RESPONSE.)
JILL - How did you first come to faith in Christ?
DREW - You know, I first really accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on my 17th birthday, January 15th. I was actually in church. It was a Sunday in church.
-And before that, you know, I had gone to church with my family. But I was just kind of there, you know, listening to the stories.
-And it all sounded good, but I didn’t fully, truly understand and get it or accept it.
-And it was at that moment I remember our pastor talking about God looking for a few good men. And he referenced the movie, “A Few Good Men.” -- And he just said, “God is out there. He is looking for a few good men.”
-And all of a sudden the light bulb went off in my head. And I was just like, “Hey -- That’s me. -- I can be one of those few good men.” For the first time I felt like God was really talking to me, and speaking to me. So that was the day.
JILL - What does it mean to be one of God’s few good men?
DREW - It means that you trust in the Lord. You trust that He has a plan for your life. You trust that He’s never gonna put anything in front of you that is too hard for you, or else He wouldn’t put it in front of you. So no matter what comes your way, you will be able to overcome it. It will make you stronger.
-You have the ability to influence in a positive way so many other people. And just be able to spread the blessings that God’s bestowed on you. (1)
*Now that is a great testimony! But if you are a Christian, then you have a great testimony too!
*God loves you in spite of your sins! -- He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to die on the cross for you. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead. And He offers eternal life to anyone who will open their heart to receive Him as Savior and Lord.
*Now some 2,000 years later, somebody brought that great news to you. You heard the truth, and one day God spoke to your heart. His Holy Spirit let you know that you were hopelessly lost without Jesus, but that you could be forgiven and live forever through the amazing grace of God. You heard, you believed, and you were saved for the glory of God!
*Now you can bear fruit for the glory of God. And though millions will never see us on TV, our fruit is just as important to God.
*God says, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” You can give glory to God playing for the New Orleans Saints, but you can also give glory to God playing for the Drew Bobcats!
-You can give glory to God playing quarterback, and you can give glory to God eating a Quarter-pounder with Cheese.
-You can give glory to God playing in the Super Bowl, and you can give God glory shopping at Super One!
*Put your trust in Jesus Christ, and start living for the glory of God.
1. Drew Brees Testimony to Jill Ewert, editor of FCA Sharing the Victory Magazine - www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0buCfbFuHw