(A quick disclaimer, it has only been in the past 2 years that I have really been watching football games, so if I'm a little off on what positions do, give me grace and ask Tank to correct me.)
Life is football. As we learn about God and Jesus and the Bible and the Holy Spirit (whether we're 2 or 50 when that process begins) it's like we're training and getting ready for the draft. We're learning the basic plays, understanding the rules, figuring out how we fit onto the team. We might even play a little college or semi-pro.
At some point, we realize that we want to play for real, and so to play for a team, we have to make a commitment. We ask to be a part of the team, and the owner/coach wants us on His team because He knows what we're capable of so he gladly accepts. That's recognizing Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life. We sign our contract to be a part of the team and we put on our jersey. That's baptism. (and we do that knowing that the owner/coach of the team already asked us to be on the team, and even forked out what it would cost for us to wear the jersey.)
Once we're signed, we keep training, but the games start as well. This is life and ministry and service to others. Some of us come onto the teams as kickers. We're the ones who get the game into motion. Some of us are linebackers or defensive ends. Much of our work for the team comes in the form of helping other members play better. Some of us are quarterbacks or wide receivers or running backs. We are the ones who make the big touchdowns.
Over the course of the season, we win some, we lose some. (The goal of course being to have more wins than losses.) We have great plays that we will never forget, and we have huge interceptions and fumbles that we wish we could. But as long as we're willing to stay on the team and do our part, the coach/owner isn't going to trade us.
And then comes the Super Bowl. We're up against a team that's pretty cocky. They see themselves as 18-0 and about to make history. (For the record, I wonder where they sent all of those 19-0 shirts they couldn't sell?) While the final match-up won't be 50-50 in terms of wins, we are up against a team that does make some great plays every single day and their roster is growing all the time. But we have a HUGE advantage: our coach has never called a bad play; theirs has screwed up everything he's ever done.
Judgement Day is the Super Bowl. And there is no question which team will win. And as the confetti rains down, THE Coach will look at us and say, "You asked to be on my team, you wore the jersey, you made a point to practice. You showed up for games and you played the part I asked you to play. Because of that I'm giving you a signet ring and sending you to my House for a HUGE celebration." He doesn't see the fumbles and the interceptions. He just sees that you're wearing his jersey and that you were part of the team.
Here's the thing. To be on the team, you have to acknowledge the coach as the one charge. You don't just get to walk onto the field and do what you want to do. To be one the team, you've got to wear the jersey. To be on the team, you have to show up for practice and workouts. To be on the team, you have to be a part of the game - you can call him coach, you can wear the jersey, but sitting in the stands or on your couch with the remote control watching other people play the game does not make you a part of the team.
So as we wait for Sept. 4 to roll around so we can start cheering for Tank again, ask yourself this: have I signed on to the team? Am I wearing my jersey? Am a practicing daily so that I am a better player? Am I playing the position He's asked me to play? And am I ready for the Super Bowl?
Life is football. As we learn about God and Jesus and the Bible and the Holy Spirit (whether we're 2 or 50 when that process begins) it's like we're training and getting ready for the draft. We're learning the basic plays, understanding the rules, figuring out how we fit onto the team. We might even play a little college or semi-pro.
At some point, we realize that we want to play for real, and so to play for a team, we have to make a commitment. We ask to be a part of the team, and the owner/coach wants us on His team because He knows what we're capable of so he gladly accepts. That's recognizing Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life. We sign our contract to be a part of the team and we put on our jersey. That's baptism. (and we do that knowing that the owner/coach of the team already asked us to be on the team, and even forked out what it would cost for us to wear the jersey.)
Once we're signed, we keep training, but the games start as well. This is life and ministry and service to others. Some of us come onto the teams as kickers. We're the ones who get the game into motion. Some of us are linebackers or defensive ends. Much of our work for the team comes in the form of helping other members play better. Some of us are quarterbacks or wide receivers or running backs. We are the ones who make the big touchdowns.
Over the course of the season, we win some, we lose some. (The goal of course being to have more wins than losses.) We have great plays that we will never forget, and we have huge interceptions and fumbles that we wish we could. But as long as we're willing to stay on the team and do our part, the coach/owner isn't going to trade us.
And then comes the Super Bowl. We're up against a team that's pretty cocky. They see themselves as 18-0 and about to make history. (For the record, I wonder where they sent all of those 19-0 shirts they couldn't sell?) While the final match-up won't be 50-50 in terms of wins, we are up against a team that does make some great plays every single day and their roster is growing all the time. But we have a HUGE advantage: our coach has never called a bad play; theirs has screwed up everything he's ever done.
Judgement Day is the Super Bowl. And there is no question which team will win. And as the confetti rains down, THE Coach will look at us and say, "You asked to be on my team, you wore the jersey, you made a point to practice. You showed up for games and you played the part I asked you to play. Because of that I'm giving you a signet ring and sending you to my House for a HUGE celebration." He doesn't see the fumbles and the interceptions. He just sees that you're wearing his jersey and that you were part of the team.
Here's the thing. To be on the team, you have to acknowledge the coach as the one charge. You don't just get to walk onto the field and do what you want to do. To be one the team, you've got to wear the jersey. To be on the team, you have to show up for practice and workouts. To be on the team, you have to be a part of the game - you can call him coach, you can wear the jersey, but sitting in the stands or on your couch with the remote control watching other people play the game does not make you a part of the team.
So as we wait for Sept. 4 to roll around so we can start cheering for Tank again, ask yourself this: have I signed on to the team? Am I wearing my jersey? Am a practicing daily so that I am a better player? Am I playing the position He's asked me to play? And am I ready for the Super Bowl?
