PErseverance
“I felt like running, but I knew all my life I’ve been running. But now I can’t run from God, because he’s going to continue to find me. ”
Often in life, some of its greatest lessons are learned through hardships. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Such as, the many trials Job had to endure or when King David disobeyed God and took a census of Israel, and the aftermath that ensued from his disobedience.
These battles can either make us or brake us. But when you’re a firm believer in God and his works like Chris, it will most certainly become a badge of honor.
Ricky Jean~ Chief Editor
Ricky: Tell me a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, stage in life, working, going to school, are you from DFW originally?
Chris: I was born and raised in Mississippi; and I grew up there for the first ten years of my life. Then I moved to Ohio, and I spent like three years there. Then I moved back to Georgia, and I spent about five years there, and I moved back to Mississippi. My life has been on a constant cycle of movement, because my family hasn’t always had a secure home. So it was a constant moving back and forth, while my mom tried to find a spot for us to stay.
I was just a regular little kid from Mississippi, growing up in a hard place. It brings out the grittiness about me. It brought some perseverance about me too. Like, how I can endure the stages. I really believe God put me in that situation in my life to help better myself as a disciple, and to live the life of a disciple. I believe if I didn’t go through those things– I wouldn’t be the person I am right now. I really appreciate God for doing that.
Ricky: What are some of your favorite hobbies, and something you would consider unique about yourself?
Chris: My favorite hobby is singing, because Drake sent me them vocals (He’s joking). And I love to play sports; anything from Football, to competitive Uno. What’s unique about me is– I can persevere through a lot of things. All while giving younger kids someone to look up to. Those who didn’t have any guidance in their household.
Ricky: How is it being a disciple and playing football for SAGU?
Chris: It’s definitely a challenge trying to balance both being a disciple, and a football player. It’s also fun being that disciple who destroys everyone in sports competitions; but I know in the end football will eventually go away, and being a disciple will stay forever. So being a disciple of Christ wins in the end.
Ricky: Tell me how you were met/invited to Church?
Chris: One day I was searching up on twitter for bible studies, and I met this guy named Tyrone. We did bible studies online every Wednesday, and every Friday. Then I met Mohamed Gavin, who’s in the ICC in Florida. That’s when he started to lead my bible studies. By that time I was in Texas in College. He was leading my bible studies, and he seen how I was so far away from the body. So he wanted me to get closer to some brothers out here in Texas.
So he handed my bible studies over to Bob from the DFWICC. Bob led my bible studies from here on out. I’d say ever since– it was a challenge. But I knew it was the truth. It was real. It was something that I wanted, and I couldn’t run from it. Even though my feelings told me I couldn’t do this. I felt like running, but I knew all my life I’ve been running. But now I can’t run from God, because he’s going to continue to find me.
Now it’s like a blessing to be in the Kingdom. This is something real. Something I’ve never seen before.
Ricky: Describe your relationship with God prior to studying the Bible and how it has changed?
Chris: I really didn’t grow up in the church like most people. I went to church every Sunday, only because my granny and my family made me. But I really didn’t understand why I was going, and that’s when I just stopped going to church; because my family stopped going to church as a whole. Eventually like college time, I’d say around this stage in my life, that’s when I really wanted to seek God more.
I knew there was more to life than the darkness I was going through. And emptiness. The void I was trying to fill with people, girls, money, cars– all that! I was just envying the world, but the void in my heart I couldn’t fill it with worldly things.
Ricky: What are some of your favorite scriptures, and why?
Chris: My favorite scripture is 1 Timothy 4:16– because I was actually trying to get my family to study the bible. But I knew I couldn’t do it through my words, because even though I could persuade them, my words were not going to do anything. It’s by my actions. Bob showed me this scripture before, and I learned to watch my lifestyle and doctrine closely. My family see the change in my actions rather than my words.
Ricky: What advice would you give someone who has started studying the Bible or is considering it?
Chris: Don’t do it for men. Don’t do it for men at all. Because men are going to fail you, men are going to disappoint you, men will lie to you. But do it for God. His words will give you peace, and when everything is going wrong, and you don’t have money, food, cars– none of that, you’ll still have inner peace inside. That’s the true peace you get from God. Just do it all for God.
Ricky: What do you love about the Kingdom?
Chris: I love that it holds you accountable, and doesn’t want you just to be happy, but live by the truth. The love is astronomical everyday, and every moment. There’s no keeping of wrong doings, it’s just love and forgiveness. It’s like I’ve met someone for a day, but it feels like a lifetime.
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