Life to the Full

Feature, The Key Moment? | September 9, 2011 12:01 am

By Jon Lindsay

If you could have everything you wanted, what would you say? Former England winger Jason Robinson had
to answer that question. He was one of the brightest talents of his generation, a star in both rugby league and union. He had fame, fortune, and adoration.

“I had all a young man could want,” says Rob-inson. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Robinson was free
to say yes to everything he wanted to have and do. This young man from the north of England must
have felt as if he’d gained the whole world!

But he goes on to say, “I had all a young man could want, except deep down I had nothing. I
knew there had to be more to my existence than playing rugby and going out night after night.” Rob-inson knew all that glamour was hollow underneath.

Jesus’ question in Mark 8:36 addresses Robinson’s dilemma: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole
world, yet forfeit his soul?” Money, wealth, popularity, and success will mean nothing in eternity.

Friends challenged Robinson with wisdom from the Bible and the things Jesus taught. Over time, he began to see that he had spent his life running away from God—and that was the wrong direction to be heading.

Robinson came to trust Jesus with his whole life. By doing so, he discovered far more excitement and
fulfillment than he’d experienced in his old life. He no longer lives to gain the whole world but strives to live
for Jesus in all he says and does.

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8:36

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