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From: Proverbs 24:16
Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller has made history joining
Jimmy Graham (twice), Travis Kelce, Tyler Higbee, and Tony Gonzalez as the only people since the NFL/AFL merger to have 4 consecutive games with 100 or more yards receiving at that position. As has been my custom, I am recording this EARLY Sunday morning so I don’t know if he’s made history by pulling away from the greats I just named in him game today Vs the Steelers.
#83 started his career with Baltimore in 2015. He was selected with the 204 pick in the 6th Rd. We know some excellent players like Brady & Antonio Brown who are looking to repeat as SB champions this year who were 6th round selections. Terrell Davis, Mark Rypien, & Jay Novacek we’re also 6th rounds who went on to have outstanding careers.
Coach Harbaugh said he was excited when he noticed Waller was available as he was a top 3 receiver prospect his list. He wondered why he was still available. It was due to character issues.
A native of Acworth GA, Waller admittedly played at Georgia Tech under the influence. Starting at age 15 with pills, Waller was addicted and turned up his activity in the A partying 5-6 nights a week. Claiming these activities were in the past, the Ravens took a chance on him only to see Darren receive a 12 month suspension for violating the league Drug abuse policy.
Passed out for 4-5 hours in his car due to taking pills laced with Fentanyl, Waller realized he needed help. After inpatient rehab treatment, going back to Acworth and getting a job stocking shelves at the grocery store, Darren was humbled enough that when his suspension was over and he was football eligible, he would make the most of his opportunities.
He returned to the Ravens joining their practice squad. It was there that he caught the eye of the Raiders while the teams were warming up for games. He now enters his 4th year with the franchise and is fulfilling the potential that drew Harbaugh to him 6 years ago.
Darren, like so many other talented athletes fell from grace due to bad decisions. So many of these sob stories end with questions of where are they now and what if things turned out differently? Darren admitted his wrong, humbled himself, turned away from his vices, and when presented with a second chance, exploited it fully. Again he didn’t come back as a full fledged member of the team that drafted him. Had he not been going hard in some seemingly meaningless moments on the practice squad, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
Golf legend Sam Sneed said, “The mark of a great player is in his ability to come back. The great champions have all come back from defeat.”
He fell but he was not a failure. Often we become trapped in the past by allowing mistakes to be our final resting place. We give into the narrative that there is no hope for us. This is our lot and as good as it gets. As long as you have breath in your body, you can begin again.
There is no wrong so horrible, no act so heinous that God is not able to deliver you from. He knew before you were born that it would happen. He also knew that you would be helpless to turn away from it without him. This is why he sent Jesus to die for our sins. He literally sentenced an innocent man to the worst death known in human history so you and I could trade our guilt & shame for his righteousness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Don’t stay down in condemnation.
That the difference between falling and failing. Failures accept defeat. Those who have fallen reject that notion. They get up and start again.
For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Will you hold on to Gods promises when you have let go of his direction.
A broken spirit and contrite (crushed, physically distressed) heart he will not despise.
Two of Jesus disciples are examples of falling vs failure. Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus when he needed them most. Judas tried to fix it himself by returning blood money. When he couldn’t rid himself of the guilt that way, he hung himself. Opting for a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Peter turned back to Jesus after denying him. Peter then went on to speak in front of thousands of people on the day of Pentecost proclaiming Christ as Lord and messiah.
All of us have fallen and will fall again. We fail when we decide to stay down.
So here’s the play: When you have fallen prey to sin. Turn and fall into the loving arms of God by accepting the forgiveness he gives. Though condemnation and shame can cripple those that have fallen. Don’t allow failure to be an option.
- Tha Voyze