I am not a Christian. I am not a believer of Jesus Christ and was not suddenly inspired to after hearing "Big Mike" talk.

But after hearing the man tell his powerful journey of his journey through times of glory, misery and new hope, I was inspired in other ways.

What the man known as Big Mike White preached to those in attendance in Whitley Auditorium April 15, was not something that only those who follow Christ could learn from, but rather a lesson about life that so many people tend to neglect.

For the first time while listening to a speaker at Elon this year, I was so overcome with emotion that I could feel tears beginning to form in my eyes.

Often times, when we reach a certain level in society we feel that we have surpassed the rules bestowed upon the common people and can get away with far more than the average person.

Whether or not this was the case with Big Mike was unclear.

Here he was, a college graduate, former NFL football player, and captain in the Army.

Yet, by associating himself with those who he had known from years ago, those people whom he thought he could trust, the man was put into a horrific situation that would not be wished upon any human being.

After being persuaded into selling cocaine by his so-called "friends," Mike was soon caught and sentenced to 22 years behind bars.

He lost everything. His captainship in the Army, his wife, his life.

What we can all learn from what happened to Big Mike is that in our lives, we will encounter many people who will try to persuade us to do one thing or another.

Some of them will really being looking out for the best for us, while others with just be trying to use us so they can get ahead.

What we as college students must do as we prepare to enter a different kind of world after graduation is separate the people who truly care about us from those who are just trying to use us.

Ultimately, know that no matter what anyone else tells you to do, the only one who will really know what’s best is yourself.

Big Mike talked about how he found his salvation in the form of Jesus Christ.

This salvation was the main reason why he was able to survive the hardships of prison and be strong enough to make it to see another day.

Religion is just one of the many things that can give a person enough hope and strength to make it through the near fires of hell.

While Mike found his reason for living in Christ, others could find it in love. Even others could find theirs in family or friends.

Whatever it is, make sure that you know what you are living for and what will give you the strength to make it even when all hope is lost.