Mike Tomlin is in his 12th season as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is currently the 5th longest-serving head coach of an NFL team. He became one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history when Pittsburgh hired him at the tender age of 34 years old. Two years later, Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win over the Arizona Cardinal in Super Bowl XLIII.
A Life Purpose Bigger Than Football
But Tomlin, even though he is the head coach of one of the NFL’s best franchises, believes that his life purpose involves more than football. In an ‘UNPACKIN’ podcast, Tomlin explained how he looked at his job as an NFL head coach as a calling from God. He shared the following:
I’m a head football coach in the NFL (and) there’s only 32 of these jobs. I’m not that good. None of us are. There’s got to be a bigger calling, right? We’re put in these positions for very specific reasons……….(so) everyday I ask, “What does God have in store for me? How does He want to utilize me in this position that I hold in an effort to do good?”
The job of an NFL head coach is very busy and demanding, so hearing from God and getting clear direction can be a challenge, admits Tomlin. But he also made it clear that “as a man of faith”, connecting with that bigger calling is a priority.
Tackling Human Trafficking
One of the causes Tomlin has gotten involved in is rescuing children from sex slavery and helping to end human trafficking. Both Mike and his wife sensed a strong leading from the Lord to get involved with this deeply disturbing social problem in North America. He met with members of the Operation Underground Railroad (‘OUR’) organization. This group is made up of former law enforcement officers and former Navy Seals who work with local law enforcement to go undercover in some of the darkest places and help save children from slavery.
Tomlin and his wife have gotten the Pittsburgh Steelers players involved with this great cause. In fact, they have seen a remarkable 100% participation among the players. Tomlin says: “From a professional football standpoint, there’s so many things, initiatives and causes going on, that in some way potentially divide someone in some corner of the (locker) room. (But) the minute we presented them with the work they’re doing to the team, it was something that unified the group. Every man was moved and it’s been 100% participation, different from man to man, obviously. And that’s a beautiful thing.” Yes Mike, it is a beautiful thing how the reality of Jesus shines through both you and your wife.
As I think on the life testimony of the Tomlins, I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Every believer has a calling from God. We all are gifted in specific ways and are given specific opportunities to impact this world for Christ and for good. May the Lord find us faithful in serving Him and others. May our lives be God-honoring right to our dying breath. Nothing else really matters.
QOTD: Are you fulfilling your God-given calling to impact this world for Christ and for good?