Wow.

It’s been 10 years ago, today, that I blew my knee in the Texas State Football Quarterfinals at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field.

It was 3rd and 1 from the 42 yard-line. We, Centerville, were down 14-0 with less than a minute remaining in the 1st quarter.

“Down, set, hut!” I take my first step inside to block out on this division 1 college prospect, and as I get under him and begin my movement, I feel a powerful blow from the outside of my right leg. It sounded like a shotgun going off inside my body. I fell to the grass screaming at the top of my lungs, and I quickly motioned for the trainers to come get me, as I knew it was over – I had blown my knee.

Since that day, 10 years ago, I have been on a journey that I could have only imagined.

After high school, I was able to play college football and start as a freshman, only later to finish with three concussions and a short career. I, shortly thereafter, stepped into a position as a youth minister – something I never wanted to do. But it’s simple, when God speaks, I do. That turned into two years of more than amazing ministry, growth, and emergence as a young man of God.

Upon college graduation, I then followed in dad’s footsteps as I became a high school coach and teacher. That fruitful time lasted only two years, after I felt God tell me to go into the mission field as a Christian missionary – something that never even crossed my mind prior to that point. Of course, I went.

Not long after I took that giant step of obedience, Jesus healed my knee(s) and released me to go and give freely as He did to me. Yes, I no longer have problems in my knees. I can run, jump, play, and have all the fun I want without pain or fear of further injury – it’s just as real as the ground you stand on.

Since then, I have been taken into a whole new world of reality – the reality of His love for me. I now work as a full-time missionary and get to experience the same heart of God for me as I did then, day-in and day-out, with each day getting better.

I want to share with you what God told me that day as I was lying on that field screaming my head off in front of 12,000 fans – “Colby, you can’t do anything without me.”

This still rings true in my life and yours today. Our lives rapidly take a turn for the best when we fully ingest that truth and act on it as ours to live out.

Whether you’re struggling with what do to with your life, a nagging injury, reaching your goals, or the simple thought of whether or not you really are loved, know this – Jesus says, “You can’t do anything without me.“

It’s your choice – what are you going to do with it?