“Kicker, Alex McPherson Chose to bless the Lord after 3 Failed Attempts, and was questioned. What determines your Praise?”

Psalm 34:1 says,  “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Football Kicker Alex McPherson clearly took that to heart! After multiple failed attempts for field goals for Auburn against Missouri, McPherson still gave God praise! He still knew that God was worthy to be praised in triumphant and defeat.

The irony is in the criticism McPherson faced when he chose to praise God after missing 3 field goals! We live in a society where God is Thanked after receiving the award, but is He not worthy to be praised when your name is not called? Does He not deserve our attention when what you desire does not come to fruition? The maturity and reverence shown by McPherson is a significant testament to a beautiful relationship that He is living out before our very eyes with the Lord. It is definitely not transactional in nature. It is an amazing awareness of all that God has afforded Him in the moment and what is due to God!

McPherson has been plagued with many health challenges that has taken him away from the game. However, the game has not taken him from Celebrating the One who has made Him a Winner through accepting Christ Jesus! There is an interesting phenomenon that happens in the Sports World. I call it Sports Mania Ministry, like how when people go to jail, many say they find God. It goes without saying that in both arenas, a true conversion can be had, but it is also vitally important that the most sobering self-assessment happens while incarcerated and released, as well as, while in collegiate sports and if the professional level is in the cards. Why you may ask? Great question: Allow me to bring on some Scout Talk!

Scouts wear many hats. Not only are they looking to place you in a situation to your advantage, but they also do a lot of intervening and damage control to protect one as an asset. Having a relationship with God that is built on a solid foundation is the best playbook an athlete can follow. It is so much more than John 3:16 plastered on your equipment, it is the act of becoming what is associated to these scriptures.

McPherson showed more God through defeat than many show in triumph. Shortly after the game of missed field goals, McPherson showed up in a later game and tied Auburn’s record of six field goals in one game! McPherson is displaying the Win on and off the field. Remember, Victory does not stop at Actions, it also encompasses Attitude!

Blessing the Lord at all times entails a mindset that is well aware that the praise is far greater than simply what is before you. It is the heart’s posture to know who goes before you. The One who opens and closes doors on your behalf because He knows what is best for you. It is the act of giving Him what is due because of who He is.

Divine Work & Pray:

Work:

Jot down in your DD journal various scenarios where you gave God the honor that was due to Him even in the midst of adversity and it appearing not to work in your favor. If there was an event where neglected to give God what is due, write out that situation as well and how you felt concerning your response.

Pray:

Say a prayer concerning giving God continual praise and being able to understand the things He will use to mature you.

To fully embrace the DD Blog Experience, Head over to Amazon for the Divine Design by JQ Journal, to accompany your Power of the Pen Moment. 🖊️