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Heart of an Athlete
Sam Baker
University of Southern California, Offensive Lineman
Selected Struggle: Trusting God
Dictionary definition: “Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.”
My definition: “Just trusting God’s plan.”
What or who has helped me trust God more? “My dad. He always reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), which says ‘For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you…’”
Favorite Scripture that deals with trusting God: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” – James 1 (v. 2-3, NIV)
Why I chose this passage: “James talks about how my experiences will make me stronger. In football, there is a lot of pushing through injuries and tough practices, like two-a-days. Going through that stuff is a grind, and it does mature your faith.
“When I ask myself why something is happening, I have to put my faith in God and know that He has a plan and that He is working me through something. God is molding me; He is doing this to make me the best at what I do for my purpose and for His plan.”
Why I struggle with trusting God in life: “I get in a habit of thinking my plan is better than God’s plan, because I don’t really understand His plan all the time. Sometimes I think, God, that’s not what I had planned.
“Like when I was coming out of high school. My plan was to play right away and be a starter, but that wasn’t His plan. He wanted me to sit back, learn and be humbled. He changed my heart and definitely made me stronger as a Christian and as a man.
“I have to keep trusting God, no matter what I am going through or what happens. It is all part of God’s plan. He knew long before I was born that it was going to happen.”
How I trust God in my sport: “It helps knowing I have a purpose, and I feel that right now it is to be the best offensive tackle, best student, best man I can be at USC. And being at USC, I have learned to be a role model and to glorify God with my actions. There was an FCA event, and several football players spoke to more than 500 kids. I was able to share my testimony, and being from USC, people were open to what I had to say.
“USC’s defensive backs coach, Rocky Seto, constantly reminds me that I’m at USC playing offensive line for a reason; God has me here for a specific purpose, and the way I can glorify Him is to give everything I have every day. And that is what drives me to work hard.”
| “God is molding me; He is doing this to make me the best at what I do for my purpose and for His plan.” |
About the Athlete: Two-time All-American Sam Baker is currently in his fourth season at the University of Southern California. At 6-5, 305 lbs., Baker is recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in the country and has been highlighted in almost every football publication, including The Sporting News, CBSsportsline.com, AP, USA Today Sports Weekly, Scout.com and SI.com. In both his freshman and junior seasons, he was named USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year; and despite having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee before 2007 spring practices, Baker is, again, starting at left offensive tackle this fall.
FCA has played an important role in Baker’s life, and he often speaks at events in the Southern California area. “FCA is another way to connect to people,” he says. “Sports are a great metaphor for life, and when you use that, you connect with kids, and they really understand. When they see the same guys that they see on TV talking about Christ, it really helps them to connect.” 
*For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Photo courtesy USC
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