Our guest this week on the Everyday Faith podcast is Tanner Morgan, a a husband, father, coach, ministry leader, and speaker who is passionate about leadership and helping people discover their identity in the Lord. As a four-year starting quarterback at the University of Minnesota, his athleticism and love for football came to a crossroads when God began speaking about his identity. Though he’s still a personal quarterback coach, he now works for Search Ministries, where he helps people explore faith through relational conversations.
Finding Faith For Yourself
Tanner grew up in the church, and like many others who had faith in their home, he knew he had a journey to walk to make faith his own. At nine years old, Tanner asked his mom, “Hey, I want to get to heaven. Can we say that prayer together?” His mom stopped the car, right in the middle of the road, and the two prayed. In that moment, Tanner gave his life to Jesus.
Ready to give your life to Jesus? Today is the day! Learn more about how to surrender to God through prayer: This is For You
As Tanner grew up, his faith in God grew. When he reached college, God began to show Tanner that his identity was wrapped up in football. However, God gave Tanner mentors and others in the sport who loved Jesus to walk alongside him in his faith journey. His friends in the sport invited him to discipleship groups like Athletes in Action and FCA. One of those men who discipled Tanner was Clay Geary, our friend who taught our listeners about how to live for an audience of one.
A few months into college, Tanner attended the Ultimate Training Camp conference. The first principle they taught about was idolatry. Tanner felt convicted and stirred to live for an audience of one. God spoke to Tanner and said, “Are you done putting yourself on the pedestal?” Tanner responded to God from a place of surrender. God realigned things in his heart and helped Tanner move out of religion and into a real relationship with God.
Learn more about what surrendering your life to Jesus means and how to live a life that’s obedient to God: Why Obedience is Good: Commit to Obedience
From football, to coaching, to marriage, to full-time ministry, Tanner has learned that though evangelism is up to God and the results are up to him, living a life of discipleship and intentional connection is priceless. It’s how the Gospel has been spread from the resurrection of Jesus until now!
When you start with belief, embrace the mission of sharing your faith, commit to discipleship through obedience, and pursue community with other like-minded believers, salvation and revival are bound to happen.
The Power of Belief
Just like in Tanner’s story, belief in God is important. Whether you accepted Jesus into your heart at nine years old or you decided to follow God today, belief is essential to the Christian faith.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - John 1:12
Once you realize you’re a child of God, you want to tell everybody! As you’re growing in sharing your testimony with others, it’s helpful to share what your life was like before you met Jesus and what it was like after you met Jesus. During our interview with Tanner, he reminded us of the story of how Saul became Paul in Acts 22. Paul shares with a large crowd how God took him from darkness to light and why he believes that Jesus is the Messiah.
The power of belief gives you the courage to share your story. Learn more about how to share your faith with others in our blog: 5 Steps to Write Your Faith Story & Share Your Testimony
Pursuing God with a Growing Family
Pursuing God in singleness can feel easy. When you’re single, you have a lot of time on your hands. When you get married, you’re caring for another person. When you have children, you’re caring for kids who can be wild, silly, and have big emotions. To love well, you have to steward your time well.
As seasons have changed, Tanner has learned how to change his pursuit of God with a growing family in mind. It’s not always an uninterrupted time of reading the Bible with a cup of coffee in hand. Sometimes it looks like waking up before his daughter, wishing he had more sleep, but choosing to have as much time with the Lord before his kids wake up.
Valuing your time with God more than the distractions that come up is powerful. It’s similar to the story of Mary and Martha. It is not the amount of time that we spend with God that matters; it’s that our heart is towards Him. Don’t get rigid or religious about spending time with God; connect with Him like you’d connect with a friend.
Sharing Jesus Even When You’re Busy
During our episode with Tanner, he told us so many stories about sharing his faith with others, even with a full schedule. One story was about sharing his faith comes from his time as a coach. The father of the student he was coaching started asking questions like, “What is Christianity? What does it look like to steward a family? What are good works?” Tanner was able to answer these questions and communicate with the father intentionally.
Over time, the son began to open up to Tanner as well. After practice, the son shared with Tanner that one of his goals for that year was to give his life to Christ! Tanner shared the full Gospel with him, and the son gave his life to the Lord! Later that week, the father came to church and heard the Gospel where Tanner was preaching. The father accepted Jesus that Sunday at church, too!
God is so faithful to meet us. Even when we’re tired, busy, or feeling overwhelmed, sharing the love of Jesus with others is essential. Learn more about how to share your faith with others in our blog: 7 Questions to Help You Share Your Faith
Bible Verses About Pursuing God Despite Distraction
As we see in Tanner’s story, though life is busy with ministry, coaching, work, and family, Tanner makes time for God and is intentional in starting conversations with others about Jesus. Here are some of our favorite Bible verses about pursuing God despite distraction and how to have connection with Jesus in every season.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well - Matthew 6:33
This Bible verse about pursuing God despite distraction invites us to put God and His kingdom first. Whether that’s praying before you start your day or reading your Bible first thing in the morning, pursuing God and His kingdom is essential for Christians. Remember, it’s not about the amount of time you spend, it’s about actually connecting with Him. God will provide for all of our needs as we put Him first.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. - John 12:3
During our interview with Tanner, he reminded our listeners of the story of Mary and Martha. This Bible verse about pursuing God despite distraction reminds us to give God what is costly. Waking up at 5 AM before the kids wake up? That’s costly. Choosing not to watch a TV show before bed, so you can read your Bible instead? That can feel costly, too! Bible verses about pursuing God despite distraction challenge us to choose Jesus even when it’s not convenient.
"In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:6
This Bible verse about pursuing God despite distraction comes from Proverbs, one of the wisdom books. Tanner chose to pursue God despite distraction when he followed God’s leadership into a job of full-time ministry. God knows the right path for each and every person.
Learn more about being available to God in our blog: How to Live a Life of Availability to God
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way to escape so that you will not be overwhelmed.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
This Bible verse about pursuing God despite distraction reminds us that distractions may sometimes feel like temptations. But God has promised us a way out so we won’t become overwhelmed by distractions or temptations. One of the ways to overcome distraction is to read the Bible.
Read more in our blog: 15 Bible Verses for What the Bible Says About Self-Control
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight that clings to us and every sin that ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us - Hebrews 12:1
Bible verses about pursuing God despite distraction are full of reminders about heaven. In the Bible, our faith is often compared to a race that we run. In Hebrews 12:1, we find that there’s a cloud of witnesses – those who have lived for Jesus and are now in heaven – who are like cheerleaders, right next to Jesus, cheering us on to pursue God despite distraction.
Conclusion
Tanner’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how busy life gets or how many distractions come our way, it is possible to pursue God every day. As Tanner said during our interview, “The best apologetics for the unbeliever is your life!”
Whether you're a student, a parent, a coach, or somewhere in between, your story matters. God wants to meet you right where you are and show you the depths of His love through the Bible. As you encounter God and His love, He wants you to share the hope you’ve found with others! As you seek Him first, you’ll find that God is a faithful Father who wants to change the world through you.
