Permission!

Arkansas freshmen tight end Garrett Uekman dies Sunday.

On Sunday the Arkansas Razorbacks were just coming off of a terrific blow out win of 44-17 over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. They were also anticipating their huge jump in the BCS rankings to #3 as a result of Oklahoma State, Oregon and Oklahoma being stunned over the weekend. However, they were reminded of their mortality on Sunday when back up tight end Garrett Uekman suddenly died.

The university said Uekman was pronounced dead at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville on Sunday. The cause of death wasn't immediately known, but the university said he was found unconscious and unresponsive in his dorm room on campus at approximately 11:15 a.m. Sunday. He was last seen playing video games by a roommate approximately an hour earlier. When emergency services personnel arrived, Uekman was in cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m.

"Garrett Uekman was a special member of our family, and we are all saddened by his passing," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. "His loss is a terrible shock, and it makes you realize how precious life is."

It's amazing how God works! Even in the mist of success and triumph he reminds us that he is still God all by himself. He doesn't ask us for our permission before he allows things to happen. I learned years ago from the book of Job that everything that happens is either God caused or God allowed when he gave the devil permission to destroy Job's life. God told the devil that he could do whatever he'd like to Job as long as he didn't harm his soul.

So if I had to speak to the Razorback football team this morning I would share with them that even during their success it was time for Garrett to leave them. He was only supposed to be on this earth for a short period of time and that they still had business to take care of in spite of his death. So continue on my brothers and use his life as a reminder that God will call you home regardless of what you’re doing today.

I would also tell them that Garrett's death was a wake up call for those that have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and even though they are #3 in the BCS that they still have time to make God #1 in their lives. What good does it do for you to win a national championship and not make it to heaven when the real game is over? The word says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

I always say that championships are not won on game day! Your level of success is contingent upon your commitment to it. It’s impossible to win without preparation and it’s impossible to see God without preparing to see him!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Follow Ya Boy on Twitter:@jaygravesreport
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.