After the encouraging words , the players opened the floor to questions , which ranged from dealing with success and failure , to ministering to teammates , and even the Christian football player ’ s response to the Black Lives Matter movement in the National Football League .
P E N N | On Campus
On Eagles ’ Wings
NFL PLAYERS EXHORT PENN COMMUNITY By James Supplee , Penn ’ 17
On the evening of October 11 , some birds of pray were spotted nesting at the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Houston Hall . The Penn chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Action hosted a conversation with four Philadelphia Eagles ’ players : safety Chris Maragos , wide receiver Jordan Matthews , linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill , and tight end Trey Burton . The teammates addressed athletes and sports lovers alike on their faith in God and its impact , both on and off the field .
The evening began with Maragos highlighting the perceived tension between an athlete ’ s motivation for athletic achievement and Christian contentment . On the one hand , athletes are taught that contentment is the enemy ; the content athlete stops improving . On the other hand , the apostle Paul teaches that Christians should be content in all things ( Philippians 4:11-13 ). Maragos explained his inability to be content with success and failure in athletics once led to his discontentment in other aspects of life beyond sports . However , Paul ’ s letter to the Romans provided Maragos with a source of everlasting peace . In the truth that Christians have been foreknown , predestined , conformed to the image of the Son , called , justified , and glorified by God , Maragos saw that God is victorious — whether his team won or lost . Maragos concluded by challenging the students to put their hope and trust in the victorious Christ instead of the uncertain nature of athletic success .
Next , Jordan Matthews addressed the transformative power of a Christian ’ s identity in Christ . As a youth , Matthews ’ joy depended on the praise he received from excelling on the gridiron . Yet , when he came to Philadelphia , Matthews began to struggle with the city ’ s hyper-critical media and fan base . In this difficult time , Matthews found the words of David to be a true source of comfort and joy : “ I praise you , for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made ” ( Psalm 149:14 ). He lamented the fact that though God made everything , “ we look to other broken people , instead of God .” He concluded with an analogy to summarize his conclusion on identity and the Gospel .
“ The tallest tree in the forest didn ’ t do anything to be that . It didn ’ t move closer to the sun , or take all of the water . God just didn ’ t let it get cut down ,” he said . Therefore , instead of boasting in his accomplishments , Matthews boasts in God and His wonderful work .
After the encouraging words , the players opened the floor to questions , which ranged from dealing with success and failure , to ministering to teammates , and even the Christian football player ’ s response to the Black Lives Matter movement in the National Football League . All of the players and their spouses opened up about their challenges in handling the Philadelphia media , their joys and sorrows in ministering to their teammates and their teammates ’ spouses , and their struggles with the NFL lifestyle .
After the encouraging words , the players opened the floor to questions , which ranged from dealing with success and failure , to ministering to teammates , and even the Christian football player ’ s response to the Black Lives Matter movement in the National Football League .
The evening formally concluded with prayer , but the players remained in Houston Hall for a time of autographs and one-on-one conversations with the audience members . Their passion for the Gospel was evident in their genuine interactions with all in attendance . Burton especially was overjoyed by the work of the Spirit in the Eagles ’ locker room , as shown by a news report about five players being baptized a few weeks after the event . Not only is God working within the team , but He is using many Eagles to have a profound impact for the kingdom , at the University of Pennsylvania and beyond . | cu w i n t e r 2 0 1 7 : : c h r i s t i a n u n i o n . o r g
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