A Platform and a Purpose in the Center of God's Will
by Doug Greengard
December 3, 2003
(AgapePress) - Because of the position he plays, Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts always finds himself in the middle of the action during a National Football League game. In his fifth season playing center for the Colts, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman will not, however, allow himself to be considered the center of attention. That position, as far as he is concerned, is reserved for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."He's done so much in my life," says Saturday. "Just how He's changed my life. It's a dramatic change and it's worked through my entire family. My wife got saved and she's a Christian now. I look to my kids and know that they are going to carry it on.
"It's just so wonderful to see what He's done in my life, professionally as well. He's placed me with the right team and set me here for a reason, set me here with a contract that I'm going to be here for a while. Because when God wants you to be here, there's no doubt."
There was a time when Saturday did have doubt. Even after a successful career at the University of North Carolina where he was an All-Conference selection, not a single NFL team came calling. During a year away from football, Saturday listened to his mother tell him that he needed to be serving God with the same enthusiasm he had for football.
When the following season rolled around, Saturday was signed as a free agent by the Colts and was ready to not only block his opponents but also take a stand for Christ. As he puts it: "God grabbed my life and set me in order."
Nowadays, Saturday spends his time protecting his quarterback and opening holes for the team's running backs. More importantly, he uses every opportunity to tell others about the goodness of God.
"I think when you have a platform, you better have a purpose -- because without it, it doesn't mean a thing," the veteran center says. "All the platforms in the world don't get anything done unless it's for Christ.
"I come to work and everyone wants to do their best in football, but I want guys on this team to have lives changed. I want to see families changed and marriages restored. There are a lot of things Christ can do in peoples lives beyond this game."
As for Saturday, he keeps looking for ways to lead others into the ultimate end zone.
Doug Greengard directs Christian Sports Minute, a ministry that uses the testimonies of sports and well-known sports figures as a vehicle to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
