Inspire, Summer 2008

16 summer 2008 my cedarv i l le I squirmed in my seat, glancing over at my best friend, Andrew, who seemed just as uncomfortable. It was Friday night, and we were stuck in a pew at the old Anglican church just outside of Harare’s city center in Zimbabwe. Though only 15, I could think of plenty of things I’d rather be doing than enduring the tedious creeds and endless testimonies that went hand-in-hand with confirmation. Actually, being confirmed was the extent of my religion, though I did believe I was saved. My parents were still new to Christianity and, after much coercion, were able to get me to church. I believed that as long as I attended Sunday school once in a while, I was guaranteed a place in heaven. Less than a year after that Friday night confirmation, I was 16 and fully immersed in the parties and nightlife of Harare. But it was in the sports arena that I found my true idolatry. I captained my school’s tennis and cricket teams and played on the hockey team, which went undefeated that season. In addition, I had the huge honor of playing on Zimbabwe’s best varsity rugby team. It seemed I excelled at about anything I tried — and I had the ego to match. If the enemy uses worldly distractions to keep a man’s eyes off of eternal things, then he got to me through sports. Despite all my athletic involvement, though, I still had not had an opportunity to participate in the one sport I most wanted to play: soccer. My high school didn’t have a soccer program, so I contented myself with quick games during recess or at home with my friends and brother. You see, in my culture white Zimbabweans were reared to play rugby, tennis, or cricket. Soccer was seen as a hobby, useful only for improving one’s coordination for a real sport, like rugby. In 2004, I left Zimbabwe for college. While many of my friends scattered to South Africa, Australia, or England, I wanted a chance to pursue the American dream. And I still hoped to play soccer, though most people insisted it was too late to join a competitive team. My parents supported my ambitions, and I headed to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Looking back, I can see how God had control of my life even when I wasn’t following Him. I can especially see His omnipotence during my time in Texas. It all started with the unavailability of on-campus housing. The area I lived in was so dangerous two fellow students were shot and killed while I was there. On top of that, one of my suitemates used cocaine, and I had frequent fights with the other. Meanwhile, the soccer coach wouldn’t even let me try out, saying the roster was already full. It all added up to the hardest by Cedarville student Jason Heuer ’08