“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12: 2)

How Are You Defined?

It was their first game of the 2017 season, and USC had just scored a touchdown to go up 48-31 over Western Michigan. The extra point that followed was executed cleanly, but this was no ordinary point after touchdown attempt. The snapper for the Trojans was Jake Olson, blind since age 12.

“If you can’t see how God works things out, then I think you’re the blind one,” Olson told the LA Times after the game.

Despite losing his ability to see, Olson never let anyone else tell him what he could or could not do. He did not allow his blindness to prevent him from achieving his dream of taking the field as a member of the USC football team. Just as importantly, he placed his trust in God and had faith in God’s plan for him. Olson made sure that he was not defined by anything of this world, but rather by his identity as a child of God.

We can all take a great lesson from Jake’s story. So often, we do conform to the pattern of this world and become defined by other people’s opinions of us or what society says about us. We lose track of our true identity: children of God.

God has a purpose and a plan for all of us. His will is good and perfect. It’s our job to focus on that instead of what the world says.

– Joshua Doering