The Key Moment by Our Daily Bread Ministries

The

Key

MoMenT?

The Key Moment What do you remember about a rugby match? A flowing move? A spectacular try? A crunching tackle? A well-worked drop goal? We usually remember the key moment when everything changed. All Blacks’ Brad Thorn remembers such a moment off the pitch. “I was a pretty wild character . . . I didn’t always concentrate on playing rugby. I would drink and go out with lots of women and behave badly.” In contrast, his international teammate Jason Stevens’ behaviour was totally different. “Jason stood out from the rest of the team,” Brad says. “On tour we would cut loose, but he didn’t. I talked to him quite a bit.” Jason suggested that Brad try talking to Jesus, asking Him to forgive him for all the things he’d done wrong and to teach him to live his life well. “One day back home,” Brad shares, “I decided to give what Jason said a crack and asked Him (Jesus) to help me turn my life around.” This was the pivotal moment that changed his life. Brad now tries to live and play rugby in a way that honours God. All Blacks fans claim, “Superman wears Brad Thorn pyjamas.” We cannot confirm this, but it’s evident that Brad’s life was turned around when he became a follower of Jesus Christ. Enjoy reading more articles like this one. Turn the page and discover how other lives have been impacted and transformed.

Life to the Full

Day 1

f you could have everything you wanted, what would you say? Former England winger Jason Robinson had to answer that question. He was one of the brightest talents of his generation, a star in both rugby league and union. He had fame, fortune, and adoration. “I had all a young man could want,” says Robinson. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Robinson was free to say yes to everything he wanted to have and do. This young man from the north of England must have felt as if he’d gained the whole world! But he goes on to say, “I had all a young man could want, except deep down I had nothing. I knew there had to be more to my existence than playing rugby and going out night after night.” Robinson knew all that glamour was hollow underneath. Jesus’ question in Mark 8:36 addresses Robinson’s dilemma: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Money, wealth, popularity, and success will mean nothing in eternity. Friends challenged Robinson with wisdom from the Bible and the things Jesus taught. Over time, he began to see that he had spent his life running away from God—and that was the wrong direction to be heading. Robinson came to trust Jesus with his whole life. By doing so, he discovered far more excitement and fulfillment than he’d experienced in his old life. He no longer lives to gain the whole world but strives to live for Jesus in all he says and does. —Jon Lindsay

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” —Mark 8:36

Question Time?

Day 2

imo Tagaloa, a retired Western Samoa winger, remembers being dumbstruck by two questions asked by a young Christian. The man asked: “Timo, if you were to die tonight, on a scale of 0 to 100, how sure are you that you would spend eternity with God?” And then he asked, “Timo, if you were to stand before God and He asked you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven’—what would you say?” How might we answer those vital questions? Some of us may feel we are good enough to get into heaven; others may think God has no reason at all to let us in. Many of us simply don’t know what the future holds after we die. The Bible gives us God’s perspective: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). When we trust Jesus with our lives, we can be sure we’re heading for heaven and eternal life with God. We just have to receive Him as Tagaloa did. “So that night, I asked Christ to take control of the throne of my life,” he says. “I now have a purpose for living. I have direction in my life, and the most important change I have seen is that I want to please God.” No one needs to be uncertain. Heaven is not a wage earned by us, but a gift from God. —Chris Wale

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” —John 3:16-17

The Terminator

Day 3

uring the 1991 World Cup when he was playing for Samoa, Apollo Perelini earned the nickname ‘Terminator’ because of his hard tackles. So it might be surprising to hear that he is a Christian. It might be even more surprising to hear what Perelini has to say about being a Christian rugby player. “There’s nothing wrong with being an aggressive player. You can play as hard as anyone else but within the rules. After all, many of God’s greatest men have been warriors.” “Christians aren’t wimps,” he continues. “When you get a reputation, everyone tries to pull you down. There’s nothing wrong with that. It keeps me on my toes; keeps me honest.” However important physical strength is to the big Samoan, more important is his trust in God. “It’s the most important part of my life,” he says. “It’s what gets me through every day.” Being a follower of Jesus is not about being a pushover or playing rugby politely. It’s about trusting God and valuing His infinite strength much more highly than our own strength. The Bible tells us that He is a “fortress” and a “refuge” for those who rely on Him (Psalm 91:2). This is where real strength lies. When we rely on Him rather than ourselves, God is powerfully able to guide us through whatever we may face in life. —Chris Wale

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” —Psalm 91:2

Through Thick and Thin

Day 4

ierre Spies, the talented South African number 8, has gone through many difficulties we can empathise with. When he was 15 years old, his parents divorced, and only a few years later his father died. Spies then decided to trust God with his life, but that didn’t mean the tough times ended. Because blood clots were found in his lungs, he couldn’t take part in the 2007 World Cup. His career hung in the balance. He describes his response to this illness: “Immediately I knew God was in control. My faith was tested, but I made a decision to praise God whether I stayed sick or got healed, because I knew God’s plan is bigger than mine and I had to submit to His will.” Despite this hardship, Spies trusted in God’s plan, which is found in Jesus, who said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for everyone who trusts in Him. Anyone can take up this offer, because Jesus paid for anything we’ve done wrong by dying on the cross for us. When we trust Him, we are no longer guilty, and like Spies, whether life is good or bad, we can praise God and know His plan will never change. When facing tough times, allow God to take control. He has the answers. —Chris Wale “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. ” —John 14:2-4

Which Code Are You?

Day 5

hat do the following players (to name just a few) have in common: Andy Farrell, Ben MacDougall, Brad Thorn, Ryan Cross, and Jason Robinson? They all switched to rugby union from rugby league. The two codes of rugby are strikingly different and require different approaches and disciplines. When a player chooses to play union, he gives league little-to-no thought, and vice versa. We all must choose between options in life, but one choice in particular is universal, and it determines the course of our entire lives. Jesus explained, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). We must decide on the choice Jesus presents: Will we trust Him or not? The players we’ve mentioned above “believed in the Son.” Because of this, they have changed lives that please God, and they have a future in heaven. And so we too have the choice of living to please ourselves, or living to please God according to His direction in the Bible. Living for ourselves and living for God are complete opposites. They won’t fit in the same life. It’s like trying to play both rugby league and rugby union at the same time; it’s simply not feasible. We must make a choice between the two. —Chris Wale

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” —John 3:36

Making It Personal You’ve just read of the life-changing decisions five rugby players made to follow Jesus Christ. But they are not alone. Michael Jones, Ugo Monye, Euan Murray, Nick Farr-Jones, Garin Jenkins, Joe Rokocoko, Eric Miller, Tendai Mtawarira, and Va’aiga Tuigamala, among many others, have also asked God to take control of their lives. Surely we need to make the same consideration. But maybe you’re not convinced? Here is a straightforward challenge from retired All Blacks player Va’aiga Tuigamala: “Preconceived ideas rob people of the truth and simplicity of following Jesus. My words of advice would be to pick up a Bible, read the words of God, and read about life and death and what happens afterwards.” If you are convinced by what you have read, you can start a relationship with God right away by simply talking to Him. This will be the key moment of your life. You can use your own words, or a prayer like this: God, I’m sorry I have rejected and ignored You in my life. I thank You with my whole heart that Jesus died to pay the price for my sins. Thank You that through Him I can know You. I accept Your offer of full forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to trust You with my whole life from this day on. If you have prayed sincerely, then be assured that you have entered into a personal relationship with God! The Bible promises, “He who has [Jesus] has life” (1 John 5:12). We encourage you to start attending a church and to let a pastor know of your decision. © 2015 by Our Daily Bread Ministries. All rights reserved. With special thanks to: Athletes in Action (www.beyondtheultimate.org) Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.