Omar Jah
I grew up playing basketball, and I thought that was all I needed to feel fulfilled. I was raised in a Muslim household and prayed when I was told to, but I never took the initiative to understand what I was actually doing. Years went by, and I started finding success in basketball, so I picked up football in middle school. I was terrible at first. I took that personally, so I gave football everything I had and eventually found success there too. Then injuries sent things downhill, and I was lost. I didn't know who I was, but I knew football could no longer be my god.
I left my heart open for whatever was in store, and soon enough I encountered the Lord at my first Mass, without even understanding what Mass was. I eventually began OCIA, and the spiritual warfare started. The D1 offers I had prayed for began rolling in, but it wasn't how I imagined it would be. I asked myself why I was being put through this and realized I was being drawn toward a greater peace, simply through being. After everything I had given to football, I thought reaching my goal would feel a lot better than it did. I ignored that thought for a while and kept doing what I'd done my whole life: play football, telling myself I'd finally feel fulfilled once I got to college and started living out my dream.
I was baptized and confirmed my junior year. I was now Catholic. I understood the title, but I was still searching for how to actually live it out. I had a great senior year on the field, and the light of the Lord began casting a shadow over football. I ended up playing for my hometown Ohio State Buckeyes, and I realized my dream, as amazing as it was, wasn't the fulfillment I was made for. I decided to follow the Lord instead, not knowing where I'd be led. I surrendered football. I got involved at our Newman Center, joined a FOCUS Bible study, attended SEEK, led a FOCUS Bible study, and went to Fan Into Flame. My faith kept growing.
Just as I thought that was enough growth, I got a call from Damascus. I had only been there once, on an SPO retreat, but I felt drawn to go back as a summer camp counselor. Once again, not knowing where the Lord was leading me, I took a step of faith. Today, I stand with a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus.
Don't hesitate. Fall into His arms. He'll catch you.