We humans are selfish creatures. Usually we will do something only if it is something that we want to do. Occasionally, however, we find ourselves in situations where we feel called to do something, whether we want to or not.

 
  The Calling  

Brad Denton, a 7’7", 255-pound junior, is the center for the basketball team at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has just completed a tryout in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the US Olympic Team.
 

    "Denton, I need to see you before you leave."

    "Yes sir, Coach Wilkens."

    "Denton, you’ve got a lot of talent and I like the way you handle yourself on the court. You’ve got something I’ve only seen in Jordan and Bird. You’re my first choice for twelfth man, if you still want it."

    "Yes sir. Thank you. Thank you so much. I’ll do my best not to let you down, sir."

    "Call me Coach, and I’m convinced you’ll do fine."

    "Yes sir, Coach. I’ll get in the gym at school and work on my free throws as soon as I get back and eat dinner."

    "Brad, son, you’ve worked hard enough for today. Get some rest tonight."

    "Yes sir, Coach."
 

Brad called his parents as soon as he got back to VCU that night.
 

    "Hi Mom."

    "Hi Son! Well, how did your tryout go?"

    "I made the team."

    "Well, I declare! My son, the Olympian. I’m so proud of you son, I’m just so proud. Let me wake up your father and tell him. He’s going to be so happy!"

    "Don’t wake him, let him sleep. As hard as he works, he needs his sleep."

    "Nonsense, he’ll be mad if I don’t tell him right away."
 
    "Mom, I’ve got to let you go. I’ve got to finish a paper that’s due tomorrow. Tell Dad that they should show the announcement on the news if he can catch it at work tomorrow."

    "I will. I love you, sweetie."

    "I love you, too, mom. Bye."
 

A few days later, Brad’s college coach caught up to him as he left a class.
 

    "Brad"

    "Yes Coach."

    "Brad, I need to see you in my office for a minute."

    "What’s going on, Coach?"

    "Well Brad, your selection to the Dream Team has excited the entire state, and it’s turned a few heads all across the country as well."

    "I’m just trying to do my best, sir."

    "And your best is so much better than everyone else’s. Mr. Jared Tomkins is here to see you. He’s a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers."

    "He wants me to go pro?!"

    "I’ve only spoken with him briefly, but I think so."

    "Coach, you know I couldn’t leave the team. I’d let everyone down. And I want to stay until I get my Accounting degree."

    "Listen to what he has to say, Brad. Then make your decision."

    "OK, Coach."

    "I’ll send Mr. Tomkins in. You can have my office until you’re done."

    "Thanks."
 

The coach walked out of his office. A couple of minutes later Mr. Tomkins walked in.
 

    "Brad Denton?"

    "Yes sir."

    "Jared Tomkins, Philadelphia 76ers. Pleased to meet you."

    "Pleased to meet you, too, sir."

    "You know, Mr. Denton, that you’ve accomplished something spectacular. There were four NBA players that you beat out at that tryout."

    "I wasn’t aware of that, sir."

    "Your college record isn’t to bad, either: nineteen points, eleven rebounds, and four assists a game last season. Moreover, your Juco stats are unbelievable: thirty-one points and nineteen rebounds a game. Why aren’t you at Kentucky or Mississippi State?"

    "We went 2-26. The recruiters weren’t exactly jumping to come see us play."

    "That explains a lot. I wasn’t able to find your high school stats, though."

    "I didn’t play in high school."

    "Your kidding me."

    "No sir, I had to work to help my parents get by. I didn’t have time for sports."

    "You didn’t play at ALL in high school?"

    "No sir. I only played Juco so I could pay for my education."

    "I take it, then, that money doesn’t come to easily for you at home."

    "Yes sir."

    "How would you like to change that?"

    "I’d love to, sir."

    "I’m prepared to offer you eight million dollars. All you have to do is play basketball in Philadelphia for five years starting this fall."

    "EIGHT MILLION?!"

    "Eight million: one million dollar signing bonus and one point four million a year."

    "Gosh, sir, I don’t know what to say. That much would really turn things around for Mom and Dad."

    "I can get you the first five hundred thousand by next Tuesday, but you’ll need to make a decision by this Friday."

    "What about my degree?"

    "I can’t guarantee the offer will still be on the table next year. It was great meeting you, Mr. Denton. I hope to see you again Friday."

    "It was great to meet you, too, Mr. Tomkins."
 

That night, Brad called his mom to give her the news.

 
    "Hi, Mom."

    "Hi, son. Is something wrong?"

    "No mam."

    "You usually don’t call this often. What’s going on?"

    "Mom, and NBA scout wants me to skip my senior year and go pro."

    "Well, I declare! This has been a great week for you, son!"

    "Mom."

    "Yes, son."

    "I don’t know what to tell him."

    "Tell him to come back next year when you’ve finished your degree."

    "He said the offer is only for now."

    "Well, there will surely be plenty of opportunities for you with a degree."

    "But he offered me eight million dollars, Mom. You and Dad could really use that much."

    "Son, don’t worry about your father and me. We’re doing just fine now. Do what you want to do."

    "I want to do what’s best for you and dad."

    "Son, you can’t spend your life trying to make us happy. You’ve got to live for yourself."

    "Thanks Mom. I love you."

    "I love you, too, son."
 

That fall, Brad Denton suited up in a 76ers uniform as ESPN’s pre-season favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year.