By Mallory Mattingly
Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter shared a poem he wrote that worships and praises God for His gift of salvation.
Titled “The Awe-Inspiring God,” the athlete’s poem reads:
How amazing are Your wondrous works
That has lasted from generation to generation
You have heard my cries and my prayers
And You have answered me according to Your faithful loveWhat did I do to deserve this?
To earn Your lovingkindness?
To receive salvation for my soul?
Under the name of Jesus Christ
The One whom You gave for usWas it because I was good?
Certainly not so, I was a sinner at birth
My good deeds are filthy rags compared to Your glory
Was it because I was faithful?Related: Falcons’ Nathan Carter Invites Fans to ‘Come and See’ the Goodness of Jesus
Certainly not so, I have doubted You many times
And have chosen to forget Your faithfulness in the past
Was it because I was successful?
Certainly not so, in what do I define success?
The money in the bank? My following amount?
The medals? The achievements? The promotion?
These things fade, rot, and die; they will not last beyond my death.So, what then did I do to deserve this love?
Nothing… there was nothing that I did or could do
It was a gracious gift given to me
To free me from my sin
That once separated me from You.
It is because You are the God of love,
The embodiment of love itself.
You desired to dwell with me,
You died for me while I was still a sinner.
It is because I was created in Your image
To rule and to reign under You over Your glorious creation,
To reflect Your glory throughout all the ends of the earth.Oh, how excellent is Your name! How glorious is Your faithful love!
For Your love is beyond my understanding and comprehension
It is beyond any explanation given under the sun
I will speak of Your great love forever!
How awesome are Your ways and Your faithfulness!
With my mouth, I will boast in Your wondrous works and Your majestic name
For You, Lord, are an awe-inspiring God.
Carter has never shied away from talking about his faith. Since his days at Michigan State, the running back has spoken openly about God.
“[Faith is] the hope that we all need, and yet, everyone is searching for it,” Carter said in a video shared by Michigan State. “We’re all searching for purpose. We’re all searching for something to fulfill us, something to sustain us. So it’s a gift that I believe God has given me to be able to use my words and be able to use my platform to be able to glorify Him and to spread His name.”
In his rookie campaign, Carter only saw the field for two games. While most players would be upset with that, he knows his purpose is greater than football.
“I play so free on the field. God didn’t place me here just to play football. There’s a much more greater purpose that I have,” he shared. “…If I don’t [gain] X amount of yards or I don’t score X amount of touchdowns, God doesn’t love me any more or any less. He loves me already.”
As Carter looked back on his rookie season, he couldn’t help but praise God. Let his poem encourage you in your walk with Jesus today.
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