Rocky Seto, a long-time assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks, left American football behind to become a pastor. Seto was highly respected by his players, and under his leadership, the Seahawks won the American National Football League’s Super Bowl in 2013. But in 2017, at just forty-one years old, Rocky believed he was called by God to leave American football to teach the Scriptures full time. Now serving with a church, the man who once said, “Jesus is better than the Super Bowl,” continues to “compete” for the souls of men and women as a pastor.
Satan was once challenged by Jesus in an attempt to attack God’s plan for the salvation of our souls (Matthew 4:1-11). The “tempter” tried to get Christ to misuse His power and turn from following His Father in obedience—an obedience that would require suffering and death on a cross. But Jesus wouldn’t fall for the devil’s ploy, stating, “Get out of here, Satan . . . . For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him’ ” (Matthew 4:10).
All believers in Jesus are called to contend for the faith. This means basing our decisions on what Scripture reveals and placing our full confidence in God—serving Him alone (Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Following Jesus’ example, we can use the power of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit as “God’s mighty weapons” (2 Corinthians 10:4) to live out the victory He won for us (Romans 8:37).
Not all of us will be called to leave our current vocation like Rocky Seto. But we are all called to discern God’s calling for how we can best serve Him. May we each humbly and lovingly live out a Spirit-empowered faith that fights passionately for the souls of others.