Some guys are bigger than the rest of us…

The same day that John Ed Mathison wrote a blog about Auburn basketball player Dylan Cardwell (left photo, detail to follow), my friend Jamie Heath (with the beard) posted his own picture of Dylan. To clarify, Jamie isn’t “short” – probably my size or a little taller.

Here’s some of what John Ed wrote on January 8:

Dylan Cardwell is a 6’11” basketball player at Auburn. He has developed into a valuable asset on that team which at the start of 2025 holds the number 2 spot as the best college teams in America.

Dylan played two years of high school basketball in Evans, Georgia and then went to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. When he returned to Georgia his senior year, he was ineligible to play because of his transfer. When asked about his disappointment, he said, “My faith is being tested and I’ve grown a lot while weathering this storm…I must remember that this is God’s plan for me, and His plans are far greater than mine.”

Cardwell recognized more than ever that God was directing his life. He truly trusted in God in leading his decision of where to go to college. He connected with a Christian man who told him about Auburn. A former defensive football coach at Auburn is his uncle, Rodney Garner. He visited and felt that Auburn had a sense of family and a Christian community. He came to Auburn.

…The thing I like about him most is that he knows that he has a role to play, and he plays his role. He is not there to be the leading scorer, etc. He knows that he is going to be a rim protector, block shoots, play excellent defense, and get to the basket and rebound and dunk the ball. He is also the glue that makes Auburn a team.

…His social media following has grown to more than 26,000 followers. He started posting Bible verses and stories of faith. His platform grew bigger for making a positive witness. He went with the basketball team to Israel during the summer. Several players professed their faith in Christ and wanted to be baptized. Cardwell was first baptized himself and then assisted in baptizing some of the other players.

He is very active in several campus ministries. He teaches a Bible study. He is a leader in academics, athletics, and collegiate activities. He is like a magnet to college students. He is referred to as “Mr. Auburn.”

He is a strong Christian whose witness goes far beyond the basketball court. I love his attitude. He says, “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but God is clearly moving.”

John Ed closes with:

What is your role on God’s team?

The Apostle Paul lists some sample roles:

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

• for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
• to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
• to another faith by the same Spirit,
• to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
• to another the working of miracles,
• to another prophecy,
• to another discerning of spirits,
• to another different kinds of tongues,
• to another the interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12.4 – 11, NKJV, bulleted for clarity)

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:

• if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
• or ministry, let us use it in our ministering;
• he who teaches, in teaching;
• he who exhorts, in exhortation;
• he who gives, with liberality;
• he who leads, with diligence;
• he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12.3 – 8, NKJV, bulleted for clarity)