Don’t Waste Your Sports – Aaron Hernandez

“What profit is it if a man gains the world but loses his soul?” That paraphrase comes from the lips of Jesus in Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36. It is a question that ought to haunt every thief, adulterer, coveter, liar, sinner, etc. No one should ever casually answer such a question.

Imagine an individual who was willing to give their eternity for a lifetime of momentary pleasures. In the brief vapor that is his life, he may think, “These amusements are worth it. They are endless. As soon as one ends, up comes another.” This individual may think he has lived a full and exciting life until he closes his eyes one final time and wakes up in a place where there is no rejoicing but only weeping and gnashing are heard.

In the past week an individual has come to the forefront of the sports world who could potentially become the modern day example of such a person: Aaron Hernandez.

Hernandez is an ex-tight end for the New England Patriots who is being charged with 1st degree murder of Odin Lloyd, a former linebacker for the semi-professional Boston Bandits. As of now, Hernandez has not had his day in court, but all evidence known so far points to this man being guilty of taking another life.

Put the life of Hernandez before the murder in perspective. The world seemed to be his oyster as they say. In college, he won a BCS National Championship with Tim Tebow. He now had been playing for one of the most successful football franchises of all time with one of the best quarterbacks in history throwing to him – Tom Brady. He just signed the 2nd largest contract extension in NFL history – somewhere around $30 million dollars. He had a 6-month old daughter and was engaged to be married. This guy was strutting as any professional athlete would.

However in a matter of just a few weeks, he lost just about everything. Other than the awaiting of his trial which could end in the death penalty in the state of New Jersey, he forfeited his salaries from the 2015-2018 seasons (a little under $20 million), he was cut from the Patriots, all guaranteed money is null and void according to player’s conduct laws in the NFL, all memorabilia and merchandise has been pulled and exchanged for other players, his endorsement deal with Puma was cancelled, etc.

He gained the world and now he is about to lose his soul. What a tragic story this is!

Friends, live responsibly. Live righteously! No accumulation of wealth or toys will ever make you a true man or woman! People that glorify God treasure and promote life; they don’t take it.

If Hernandez ends up being found guilty, his story will be one of the more sobering examples of someone who has wasted their sports.

If you know the Lord, pray for Aaron Hernandez. Pray that He would find Christ during these dark days of His life. Pray that repentance would be his food and a love for obeying the Lord would be his drink.

If he doesn’t come to know the Lord, be warned in your own life of his careless life. Be sure your sins will find you out.

And finally, don’t exchange your soul for gaining the world. The only thing you will leave this world with is eternal regret.