Heart of an Athlete
December 2008

Tito Gonzales
Wide Receiver
West Virginia University

Selected Struggle: Weariness

Dictionary definition: “Physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion or strain; fatigued; tired.”

My definition: “Becoming tired and losing hope.”

Who encourages me when I feel weary: “My older brother, Johnny, and our team chaplain, [FCA’s] Joshua Sonoga, encourage me when I start to become weary.”

Favorite Scripture that deals with weariness: Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Why I chose this passage: “It is a memory verse for me, and I resort back to it when I begin to feel weary.”

How I handle weariness in life: “I believe that we live in a world today that sees serving Jesus Christ as taboo. When you live your life for Christ, you will often face opposition from the world. I try to honor Christ in everything that I do on a daily basis, but I can grow tired and lose hope when I see the unconsciousness of people around me who have everything on their minds but God. I have had to stand alone in my faith many times as I have seen others totally live for the world and not Christ.

"...serving God is not a sometimes thing, but an all-the-time thing."

“I have to keep the hope alive and understand that God is sovereign, and He blesses the just as well as the unjust. I have to continually remind myself that I am a sinner saved by grace and not by works. Oftentimes, as Christians, we think that God loves us more than the people out in the world, but in Luke 15:7 (NKJV), Jesus said, ‘I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’ I have to pray for those who are lost and not look down on them. Who am I to judge someone else? I have to constantly keep Psalm 1 in mind.  I believe trusting and serving God is not a sometimes thing, but an all-the-time thing.”

How I deal with weariness in sports: “As an athlete, I have seen people on my team who don’t believe in God have success. Sometimes we see the success of those who are not serving God and ask ourselves, ‘Would I have more success by doing what the world is doing?’ I have to continually remind myself of Scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV), which says: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.’ I have realized while playing sports that what God has for you is for you, and no man can take it away.”

About the Athlete:
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Class: Senior
Position: Wide Receiver
Major: Special Education

Career Highlights:
•Awarded the Coach’s Contribution Award by the coaching staff during the 2008 season.
•Has been a part of four bowl games: Gator (’05, ’07), Sugar (’06) and Fiesta (’08).
•Scored on a 79-yard touchdown reception during West Virginia’s 48-28 win over Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

FCA Involvement:
Gonzales has been involved with FCA since his freshman year when he met FCA Multi-area Director Danny Buggs. Now, Gonzales is on leadership with the Huddle at West Virginia and leads the Mountaineers in prayer before every game. And according to W.V. FCA’s Shawn Frasher, Gonzales continually uses his talents and platform to share the message of Christ to his team and the community.

According to Gonzales, FCA has made a lasting impact. “It has been the foundational structure of my faith while in college,” he said. “FCA continues to spread the Word of God and gives athletes the opportunity to know Jesus Christ through the influence of sports. It is continually building disciples.”

--For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To subscribe to STV, click here.

Photos courtesy of Dale Sparks, WVU.