Tuesday Truths: Guest Post by Benjamin Haynes

Today’s Tuesday Truths is a guest post from Benjamin Hayes.  Upon launching the Tuesday Truths portion of my website, Benjamin reached out to me with his story of how faith has shaped his life.  It’s a great story that I’m grateful he shared with me.  I’m happy to share it with you all, too!

God’s Big Plans

The two main scriptures I want to highlight for my “Tuesday Truth” are Isaiah 55:9 and Hebrews 6:12. Those scriptures read as follows:

Isaiah 55:9- “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Hebrews 6:12- “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

I have had two main desires and goals I have wanted to accomplish in my life. Being a division one basketball player, and being an attorney. Both of which God has blessed me with the ability and opportunity to accomplish, but it was not an easy ride.

I remember when I was in 3^rd grade and my father asked me what my goal was. I responded by stating, “I want to play division one basketball.” He then replied telling me it will take discipline and a tremendous work ethic, and trusting in the Lord. I remember getting home from school in the 3^rd and 4^th grade and having a clipboard and an apple waiting for me in my dad’s office. The clipboard had a workout agenda specifying 300 jump shots from various locations on the court for me and I was required to fill that sheet out every day. The work and desire was implemented at a young age.

I faced a lot of rejection as a young basketball player, but my dad never let me quit, and I turned the rejection into motivation. My dream was fulfilled. God opened a door and I played division one basketball against all of the odds, and it was an extraordinary experience.

Did you know that just because God has plans for us that it doesn’t mean these plans will come to pass? We have to act as well. The Bible says that “Faith without works is dead.” That means that if we say we have faith, but do not take any action indicating such by our works, that our faith alone is dead. It is on us to show God we trust in Him to open a door by working diligently and preparing ourselves for that door to be opened. Even when nobody was watching and no coaches were recruiting me, I still was working hard and putting in the time in the gym because I knew that my dreams rested in God’s hands and not in the hands of men. I trusted in Him even at a young age.

God has such big plans for all of us, but we are not guaranteed to receive His big plans for us unless we trust in Him and have patience. As Hebrews 6:12 states, it is through faith AND patience that we inherit the promise. I believe that God gives us promises and desires. However, we won’t receive these promises on our timing, and the path will never be easy. If the path was easy, then why would we need to develop a strong faith? Faith believes and knows God will come through for you, even when, and especially when, natural circumstances don’t point to the promise being fulfilled.

Patience is what all of us struggle the most with. As Alicia mentioned in one of her “Tuesday Truth’s”, the job market for attorneys if extremely rough right now. I remember as a 1L in law school, all of the students were consumed with the idea of getting a summer internship because getting experience was crucial in landing a job once graduation came around. I sent out resumes all year long, and could not find anything. However, I had peace through it all because I knew my God would not abandon me in my search. Philippians 4:6, which states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I stood on this verse for an extremely long time, and it brought me peace during naturally stressful situations.

I had been introduced to an attorney in Orlando, Florida the summer before I began law school. He has a very prestigious law practice and I had asked if I could intern for him for the summer. He declined initially because he has been practicing by himself for 25 years and never had an intern. I continued to pray and just asked God for His will to be done and for an awesome door to be opened for me. Then, at 6 am during finals week, I received a call from this attorney. Remember, this was only about a week before summer started and I had nothing lined up. The attorney asked if I could drive down for the day and have lunch. I said sure.

Sitting across the table from him he stated, “As you know I was a little apprehensive when you asked if you could work for me this summer. I have always just done my own thing and never had anyone else come in. But today, I woke up and I believe the Lord told me to hire you for the summer. I asked my wife (who I had not met at this point) and she felt the same exact way. So I want to offer you this summer gig.”

That is one of those moments where you know you are exactly where God wants you to be at that exact time. His perfect will. Isn’t amazing how God can open up a door with a snap of his fingers? I accepted the position and worked for this man during both of my summers of law school. Not only so, but because of my experience with him, I landed a job after graduation which required 3-5 years of attorney experience, and I had none. However, my employer now knew of the attorney who gave me those internships, and because of what I know to be the favor of God I received the position I have now.

I want to add this, we cannot fall into the trap of thinking that because we mess up and make mistakes that God will not fulfill our desires or promises. God said that Abraham received his promise, not by law (which means Abraham didn’t receive his promise because he was perfect and never messed up), but by faith. Romans 4:13. Trust in God, and don’t believe the lie that you have messed up too many times to receive God’s plans for your life.

Understand that God’s timing is absolutely perfect. As the heavens are above the earth, so are God’s thoughts above our thoughts, and his ways above our ways. Trust in Him for His timing is perfect. We must have patience, so that we do not cut ourselves short of the things that God ultimate has planned for our lives. He truly has amazing plans for everyone.

When you become discouraged with your current circumstances and the devil is telling you that there is no way God is going to come through for you, I encourage you to do this. Look back on all of the times God has blessed you and all of the times where He has shown to be faithful in your life. There are too many times to count. Once you do this, you will have encouragement and peace knowing that God is the same yesterday today and forever, and he will be faithful again, just like he was in the past.

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Benjamin Haynes currently practices law in Orlando, Florida. Haynes graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2008, where he played on the varsity basketball team. During his time at ORU, Ben participated in two NCAA tournaments. Haynes obtained his law degree as well as a certification in sports law. Ben is an author on sportinlaw.com and is a regular contributor on sportagentblog.com.

Haynes is on Twitter at @BHaynes32.