Reconciliation Ministries

(A testimony by Andrew Provence)

He's to the 40!,...to the 35!,… the 30!,…the 25!,…to the 20!… so went the fever pitched play-by-play calling of "voice of the South Carolina Gamecocks," Bob Fulton.

The thrill of the stadium lights bursting through the night sky on a cool, crisp autumn evening was a feeling I'll never forget as we started each new football season. Once labeled the "strongest Atlanta Falcon", football was more than a sport to me. It became an intense passion as I grew up in Savannah, GA. High school football in Georgia is not just a pastime, but a religion…the Valdosta Wildcats, Griffin Bears, and Herschel Walker are but a few of the legends.

My biggest fear as a youth was rejection. Following in the footsteps of my older brother, Jerome, football was my ticket to acceptance. I would do anything to be part of the "in crowd"…and I mean anything. I reveled in the reputation of being a "wild man", the baddest, meanest guy alive. After my senior football season at the University of South Carolina, it looked like I had the "world by the tail"…predicted to be a high NFL draft pick, engaged to be married to a beautiful girl, and only one semester needed to complete my college degree.

My college years had been full of exciting memories… to the 40!…to the 35!,… the 30!, the 25!.to the 20!…yes, that was me in the play being called by the voice of the Gamecocks. I was taking the ball towards the end zone after my ONLY career interception. There was nothing between me and "PAY DIRT" except my own teammate. As he turned around to block any would-be tacklers, I became startled. As our eyes met, I tripped over my own feet in an attempt to avoid colliding with him. You talk about embarrassed! The announcer yelled "Provence!…He's to the 20!..the 15!…he…..fell down?"

That play really sums up my life before making a commitment to Christ at the age of 21. I was stumbling around, falling all over myself and others, thinking I was heading toward exciting goals. Yet, my life was without purpose and empty. I was afraid. After hearing the Gospel shared by teammates, coaches, and fellow students, I could no longer keep running. Instead of stumbling and falling closer to the edge of permanent disaster, I CHOSE to fall…fall into the strong arms of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Today, my goal is to maintain an intense passion for Christ. (Philippians 3:14) It is a lifetime journey across God's playing field as He builds the character of Christ in us. (Romans 8:28-29) God's play book, the Bible, is the ONLY winning gameplan for life. It provides solutions to life's most difficult problems…fear, rejection, guilt, bitterness, pride, hatred, and lust to name a few. God's Word offers the solution to finding harmony with our teammates…the ones in our homes, at our jobs, and in our communities. The best part of all is that our Divine Head Coach offers a "no-cut" contract…it lasts forever.

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