My whole life I depended on myself to get me places. I played basketball and I was hoping that would get me to a sweet college and take me places, it didn't. My life was aimed in this direction to continue my work on the court and when that didn't work out it took away my identity and definitely shot down my pride. In 2012 I graduated high school and I had NO clue where I was going. Literally, I was scraping the bottom of the bucket for some sign of hope. So I decided to do some mission work hoping to buy some time and maybe God would give me a revelation. I was choosing to do missions for all the wrong reasons and it totally backfired on me. It didn't work out and I went home with my tail between my legs.
I was empty. Still being eaten alive by my addiction to pornography and lust, and I had no idea where to go. But one day my mom came home from church and just said, "Tyler Murphy wants to meet up with you and have lunch." Tyler Murphy is a worship leader who was going through a career change at the time. I used to go to his shows and I would blankly stare at him and just watch the drummer, Chris Chalman, because he is really good! But other than that I did not know Tyler on a personal level and I had no clue why he wanted to meet with me... So probably a week or so later I met with Tyler at Taco Bell and we talked for hours.. Seriously, hours! It was amazing and finally gave me the hope I needed. Tyler was starting his new ministry and was just asking if I was interested in traveling with him and loving on students.. I completely leaped at this idea, because I always enjoyed youth ministry and it seemed so fresh and adventurous. This meeting took place in October 2012 and our first trip together was March 2013 to Joplin, Missouri. It was quite the wait, but it was worth it!! Tyler is by no means perfect, but I have never met someone who has such a heart for Jesus and for others to experience Him. The way that Tyler came to me reminds me of when Jesus called his disciples. "One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers - Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew- throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, "Come follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him." Matthew 4:18-20 Now Tyler may have been trying to be over spiritual, maybe he read this and saw that Jesus called an Andrew to be one of the first disciples, so he thought he needed one as well. But, I doubt that. In my bible above this passage I have this written, "He (Jesus) was probably smiling. Nobody just leaves unless you sense more." Think about the weight of this moment for Peter and Andrew. This man walks up and offers them an adventure and they leap at it. It brings tears to my eyes just knowing the end of this story! Now I was not a fisherman, and I honestly had less than that. I was lost and alone. All my friends at the time were doing college and chasing dreams. My dream of basketball had just been deflated.. But for some odd reason Tyler asked me to join him. Just as Peter and Andrew were willing for something more, I needed that. So after a few trips with Tyler he needed a bass player, and for some reason he asked me to play.. He taught me bass and the rest is history. At times I still feel like that 18 year old guy who was lost and alone, but I know that isn't true. Tyler's ministry has changed my life. This isn't on Tyler, it is on Jesus. Jesus has done it all, but Tyler is a willing to listen and follow. Tyler has come beside me in my life and walked me through my struggles. Tyler is more than just a guy on a stage to me and to many others. To me, he is a brother. One day I will be able to tell my kids about these experiences. Tyler came to me, I answered and followed, and now we can partner together and hopefully point others to Jesus through our lives. I know this type of story is not typical and not normal. But I am so thankful that I serve a God who takes the lost and broken and gives them a reason to dance. He takes the lonely and gives them brothers. He takes the lustful and prideful basketball player and turns him into a bass player. How beautiful is that?! I didn't ask for this path. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
2 Comments
9/14/2015 02:28:47 pm
Praise God Tyler is now our worship leader at HighPoint Fellowship, Cedar Park, and is blessing us with Spirit centered worship centered on Jesus, we are so blessed!
Reply
Matt Murphy
9/14/2015 06:06:15 pm
Hey he is my brother too.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Andrew Berry! I am just living my life chasing after Jesus and trying to point others to Him. Archives
January 2017
Categories |