George Sheehan wrote, “Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one.”
I have encountered every reason not to race—from abandonment to abuse, family deceptions, untimely deaths, drugs and alcohol. I was confronted with more obstacles before the age of 28 than the majority of people face in a lifetime.
My childhood began in an abusive home which resulted in my and my brother’s placement into foster care. Over the course of my first 8 years, I was moved between homes and motels with little certainty of what the next day would bring. At 8 years old, I and my brother were adopted by an incredible couple who possessed traits of joy, humility, sacrifice and unconditional love. The time with these parents would be short-lived, however, as both my mom and dad suffered untimely deaths within a few years of each other. The pain of these losses nearly ended my career as a professional athlete, but as God so writes stories for His glory, He placed His armor upon me to take my place in His army. Thus He speaks to me daily as proof of the intentionality God takes upon our lives and that our experiences in life are nothing more than another day of training to become a champion for others.
This is just one of many stories of redemption, resilience and faith in knowing that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8). The platform in which God builds is much greater than we could expect for ourselves. I like to say, “As I continue to walk in prophetic steps led by my Father, I look back on my short but very long life thus far and see all the tangible bio markers in which I was never walking alone. Even when I did not have a relationship with Jesus, He knew my name.”
Listen to God’s Narrative, Not Mine on the What’s Your Armor with Steven Benedict on the Charisma Podcast Network, where he shares his story of victory and raises the important question: What narratives have we adopted along the way that are not God’s truth about us? {eoa}
Despite the obstacles in Steven Benedict’s life that God turned into training exercises, he now speaks in prophetic circles, cultivates relationships to flourish and is a foster care reform advocate who brings tangible change and solutions for aging out youth. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and his new book, Good Morning Super Star, is all about setting the tone for your day to ask yourself better questions for better results. All the proceeds are going to impact foster families and aging-out youth for a sustainable future. You can grab your copy now!
