As the 2023 NCAA Tournament ended, basketball fans across the country were glued to their TVs. They watched the best teams in the country battle on the court, including San Diego State University, a contender in the Mountain West Conference. Their trip to the tournament finals was remarkable, marked by their Elite Eight win over Alabama.
Unfortunately, they fell short of their goal of winning the national championship, but the journey to the tournament finals was astonishing. Nathan Mensah, a San Diego State player, grew up in a Ghanaian Christian household but lost his parents after coming to the United States. He started backsliding in his faith as basketball became more prominent, filling the void his parents left behind. However, in his sophomore year, he faced a severe blood clot issue that forced him to reevaluate his priorities.
During this challenging time, Mensah returned to God and humbly prayed for healing and strength. He promised to serve God if he was able to recover. He fully regained his health and has been committed to living his life for Jesus ever since.
Matt Bradley, another San Diego State player and California native, shared how his love for basketball helped him stay out of trouble as a child. After playing at U.C. Berkley for three years, hoping to play in the NBA, the pandemic shattered his professional dreams. Bradley realized that the sport he loved could be taken away from him, but one thing could never be taken – his faith. He gradually started attending church and surrounding himself with the Christian community. Eventually, he chose to dedicate his life to following Jesus.
As they detailed their journey to the NCAA finals, Mensah and Bradley stressed the importance of accountability. They believed that having a robust support system was vital to their success both on and off the court, and they were grateful for the brotherhood they built with their team. Mendah and Bradley also pushed each other to grow in faith, stay connected to God, and hold each other accountable in basketball. They used to prioritize basketball over everything, but God has the throne in their lives now.
Even if you’re not a sports fan, Mensah and Bradley’s testimonies remind us that God can use our passions and talents to make a difference in the world. Whether working in an office, playing basketball, or serving our community, we can invite the Holy Spirit into our work as an act of worship. We have the opportunity to be a positive influence on those around us and to share the love of Jesus with others wherever we go.
We all should strive to use our influence and talents to lead people toward Jesus and never be afraid to share our faith with those around us. Everyone has unique talents and gifts that God has given us, and we can use these gifts to make a difference in the world.