I’m beginning to learn what God is truly asking of us when He says we should have faith.

When God asks us to have faith the size of a mustard seed, He’s not asking a lot (mustard seeds are very small). He’s simply asking us to take our concerns to Him and trust Him to be in control. Look at the life of blind Bartimaeus, whose simple faith made him see:

“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” —Mark 10:51-52

Bartimaeus boldly calls on Jesus and tells Him what he wants Jesus to do for him. He was willing to be real with Jesus, believing that He could and would heal him. That is what God is asking us to do, because He can work in miraculous ways in our lives.

I’m personally very humbled to be in the position of team captain for the Browns this year. As a young team, we have a big job ahead of us this year. The odds are stacked against us but I believe that God has big things in store for this team. In fact, I’ve seen God do mightier things in situations that seem much more unlikely. I’ve seen what God did with Joseph, King David, Paul, and Gideon. I’ve seen what God has done in my own life and I trust that He is in control. I never want to doubt God, thinking either that He can’t or won’t do what He says He’s going to do. And while I don’t know what God has in store for us this season, I know what He’s capable of and I’m excited to be a part of this.

Being in a position like this can be scary. My teammates elected me to be a leader for them and that is a big responsibility. To put myself out in front of my team and say that God is going to do something big takes a lot of faith, especially since I then have people following me and believing me. But God has been teaching me to trust in His plan even when I don’t know what that plan is. While I do that, I aim to be the best teammate that I can be as well as a light to everyone I come across.

What I’m learning is that as a team captain, I’m not only responsible to lead on the field during game time. My teammates often ask me how to train, how to prepare their bodies, as well as how to walk with Christ in faith. It’s incredible to see how my teammates come to me for guidance in all areas of their lives. It’s humbling.

This year we have a tremendous number of players coming to our chapel services. Players have been coming to me for Scripture and encouragement outside of chapel, too. By living a life that is constant and faithful to the Lord, I have seen many people look for and wonder at the joy and confidence that I have in Christ.

Back in college, I was in a very similar situation to the one I’m in right now. At Arkansas State we were a mediocre team at best—we were nothing spectacular. I was a strong player, but when I missed summer training camp to attend a Christian evangelism training, my coaches decided to not start me. In my senior year we had a new coach come in who saw something in me; he asked me to be a team captain. Unsure of how to be a team captain, I relied heavily on God. I knew God was telling me that I didn’t have to do anything besides trust in His plan.

With this new responsibility I felt a huge surge of energy. That year we ended up going undefeated in the conference, our Bible studies were packed, and guys were coming to Christ left and right—it was amazing! Our school, which had only won one conference championship over the last 20 years, turned a corner; now they have won 4 championships within the last 5 years. It’s amazing to see God work in these ways. Not only are the team Bible studies still packed, but the coaching staff now has a packed Bible study as well. I love seeing all these guys following the Lord and encouraging their teammates to do the same.

It’s unique to see how God positioned me there for that time, and He has positioned me right here for this time. I know that God’s got great things for Cleveland and I can’t wait to be a part of them. God has set the stage. We are about to see that the impossible becomes possible with Him.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’” —Mark 10:27

God isn’t God only if we win the Super Bowl; God is God regardless. God is good, God is great, and God is who He says He is. I trust that when God says He’s going to do more than we ever imagined possible, He will. And while I don’t know what that’s going to look like, I believe that it’s true.

The only thing worth boasting about is our great God.

“Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’” -1 Corinthians 1:31

—Demario Davis

Demario Davis is a regular contributor to The Increase and will be providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Demario’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/demario-davis/     

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