Wisdom for Winning in LifeSample

Oscar Ewolo’s Transformation

Born in the Congo and raised in France, Oscar Ewolo dreamed of playing in the World Cup. He had the chance of realizing that dream as captain of Congo’s soccer team! But when Oscar was 14, his father died.

“It was as if my whole family was dying on the inside,” Oscar said.

Then someone told his mother about Jesus, and she opened her heart to the Savior.

Oscar recalls the transformation: “I saw a woman who had lost her joy, start to find a different joy.”

Later, Oscar received salvation and he also began to change.

The young soccer star’s transformation is a living example of what Jesus told Nicodemus in the book of John: “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus didn’t understand. So Jesus explained, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”

Jesus further stated that He had come from heaven to win back His creation—a creation that had rejected Him: “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light.”

It doesn’t have to be that way: “Everyone who believes in Him [Jesus] will have eternal life.”

The label “Christian” is understood by many in solely a cultural context. But to be a follower of Jesus means a total transformation.

Tim Gustafson

How have you experienced the joy possessed by Oscar and his mother? What does the transformation Jesus offers mean to you?

Jesus, thank You for Your forgiving, transforming ways.