I Agree With Kirk
“Football is very important to me and plays a huge role in my life,” says Kirk Cousins, senior quarterback for the Michigan State football team. “I count it a privilege to play football for Michigan State; it is a dream come true."
However as important as football is to Kirk it’s not his source of identity.
Kirk Cousins grew up in Chicago, the son of a minister, until his family moved to Michigan. He was seven years old when he placed his faith in Jesus Christ and asked Him to be Lord and Savior of his life.
“But it wasn’t until…about my junior year of high school that I started to realize the sacrifice and commitment that it took to be a Christian, to ‘walk the walk’ and to really live the life that Jesus lived and to follow after Him with everything you got; and not just (be) somebody who claimed to be a Christian,” Cousins says.
One day, after the offensive coordinator from Michigan State watched Cousins playing basketball for his high school, the offer came.
Kirk continues, “The anchor of my life is Jesus Christ. My identity is based upon His love for me and in my personal relationship with Him. At the foundation of my life is His truth, as spelled out in the Bible. I am passionate about Jesus, the one who gave His life on a cross to pay for my sin. One of my greatest desires is to live a life in a way that honors Him.”
One of the ways Kirk does this is by sharing his passion for Jesus with his fellow students and athletes. Currently Athletes in Action & Cru at Michigan State University are holding a two week “I Agree With Kirk” campaign. On Thursday, November 3rd they are hosting a large event where Kirk will speak about football and his faith.
One situation that tested Cousins’ spiritual foundation was being away from home at Michigan State. “When you go to Michigan State you feel like you are alone in trying to live out your faith, and it can be hard to find fellow Christians.
It’s important to be with other Christians to help keep you accountable,” Cousins adds. “But I just kept reminding myself that the Lord led me here and He’s got a plan for my life.”
“One of my favorite verses is Colossians 3:23-24: ‘Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’ While I seek to apply this verse to football, I know that football will one day end.
Jesus however, and all who know Him, will live forever. This great truth means I have an identity, a foundation that can never be taken from me.”
