The Walk

Recently, I had the privilege of taking both of my boys to an event hosted by The Walk Foundation, where we heard from TreVeyon Henderson, the former Ohio State running back, national champion, and current New England Patriots running back entering his second NFL season.

TreVeyon was selected by the Patriots with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Before turning professional, he completed an outstanding four-year career at Ohio State, finishing among the program’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.

But that evening, the most impressive part of his story had nothing to do with rushing yards, touchdowns, championships, or draft position.

TreVeyon shared openly about his faith walk, the darkness he had experienced, and how Jesus transformed his understanding of who he is.

My boys loved hearing his story and getting the opportunity to meet him afterward. And yes, getting a picture together was pretty awesome too. Based on those smiles, Dad may have temporarily moved up the family popularity rankings.

But the most important moment was not the photograph.

It was the lesson behind it:

Your identity cannot safely rest in what you do, what you achieve, or what other people think about you.

Those things change.

You can win today and struggle tomorrow.
You can receive applause in one season and criticism in the next.
You can appear successful on the outside while quietly battling darkness within.

TreVeyon’s testimony carries such power because he has openly shared that football success, recognition, and material accomplishments could not heal the emptiness he felt. His rescue did not come from another victory.

It came from Jesus.

He discovered that his truest identity was not athlete, star, winner, or even failure.

It was child of God.

That identity gave him something circumstances could not provide and could not take away.

Stability. Peace. Purpose. Hope.

Darkness often works by giving us false names:

Not enough.
Too broken.
Unlovable.
Beyond forgiveness.
Nothing without your success.

But those are labels, not truth.

Last week, we talked about the importance of recognizing those damaging words and choosing to tear off the label before it sticks.

Because when a false label stays attached long enough, we can begin treating it like our identity.

But God does not call you by your failure, your pain, or your darkest season.

He calls you His.

Scripture reminds us:

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Ephesians 5:8

Notice the word walk.

Faith is rarely one giant leap from darkness into a problem-free life. It is a daily walk. One honest step. One surrendered decision. One moment of choosing God’s truth over the lies shouting for our attention.

Some days that walk feels strong and confident.

Other days it looks more like spiritually tripping over your own shoelaces.

Keep walking anyway.

You do not have to earn your identity through performance. You do not have to pretend everything is fine. You do not have to fight alone.

Bring the darkness into the light. Talk with someone you trust. Receive grace. Remember the cross.

You are not too far gone. You are not what happened to you. You are not your worst moment.

In Christ, you are chosen, forgiven, loved, and being made new.

That is an identity worth building your life upon.

Your friend,
Brock