NO. 995 - THE TESTIMONY OF PISTOL "PETE" MARAVICH

No. 995

Jim Davidson -- NEWSPAPER COLUMN

THE TESTIMONY OF PISTOL “PETE” MARAVICH

During the years between 1968-1970, there was a floppy-socked basketball player at Louisiana State University by the name of Pistol “Pete” Maravich, who is among the greatest college basketball players of all time. For these three years he averaged more than 44 points per game, and this before the three-point shot came along. He was also a consensus first-team All-American player for each of these years and the Naismith Award Winner in 1970. In spite of this, after college, his life was miserable until he found peace in a relationship with God. What follows is his personal testimony.
“With all the trophies, awards, money and fame, I am not at peace with myself. I felt that money and things it could buy in this world were my tickets to pleasure and happiness. But, even with all the money, I was miserable. Deep down I knew life had to be more than parties, a Mercedes, and stocks and bonds. Nothing lasted through all the accolades and trophies. I had found nothing to hang on to that would last forever. Even my greatest records would someday be broken. The trophies were collecting dust in the attic, and one day no one would remember or care about a floppy-socked basketball player named Pistol Pete Maravich.
“The fame and fads were all temporary and fleeting! My explorations of different religions, astrology, astronomy, nutrition, UFOs and even basketball only revealed all the more emptiness that I couldn’t fill. I became a desperate man, facing the inevitable questions each person must face: ‘What do I have to live for? What value do I have? What will happen to me when I die?’ I had not found a purpose anywhere in a past filled with success, fame, and fortune. For a man that seemed to have it all, in my estimation I had no purpose, and no reason for being.
“I knew I had to make things right with God. I cried out to God, saying, ‘I’ve cursed you and I’ve spit on you. I’ve mocked you and used your name in vain. I’ve kicked, punched and laughed at you. Oh, God, can you forgive me? Please, save me, please. I have had it with all the world’s answers for happiness. All of it, the money, fame and things have left me so empty’.
“I prayed a simple prayer, as best I could, ‘God, come into my life … forgive me of my sins. Make me the person that you want me to be’. Through this simple act of surrender, the void that once loomed so large was filled. From that moment on my life was never to be the same. Trying to please others had brought me frustration, a drinking habit, and a love of material possessions. I had gone to the brink of self destruction. After my conversion that special night in Louisiana, I turned full circle. All the fame and fortune I had accumulated looked extremely pale when compared to the abundance of God in me. I was driven by a desire to please God because of a newness of life I had received from him. The fears I once possessed were wiped away. My life was now filled with the light and love of God.”
When I read this my first thought was “Wouldn’t it be great if every young person in America could read this?” What a difference this could make in our nation and our world. Please share this with as many young people as you can. P.S. This came from my friend Dale Brown, who also coached at LSU.
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(Editor’s Note: THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY – Begin your day on a positive note – 365 days for $12. This will benefit the Bookcase for Every Child project. Go to www.apositivemomentwithjim.com to subscribe.)