Football rules the South.
In the fall, south of the Mason-Dixon Line, emblazoned on the skyline are the stadium lights of a thousand football games in progress. They tell of blood, sweat, and tears; and sometimes, they tell of commitments that are greater than life itself.
On the cover of the September 29, 2014 edition of Time magazine is a picture of 16-year-old Chad Stover. The picture is sharp and clear, Chad in his football uniform, his helmet and faceguard in place, with one arm pointing toward the camera. His number is both emblazoned across his chest and written high on one arm. Eighteen, the number of a Friday Night American Hero. Chad’s team, the Tipton Cardinals, is in the playoffs, and as Chad told his mother earlier that day, he’s certain they can take the game.
Chad, playing defensive back for his team, never walks off the field that night. He’s kept alive by mechanical means another two weeks before his body gives up, but the head trauma he receives is too great for him to survive. Chad has given everything in his efforts to ensure victory for his team.
We are part of God’s lineup in the football game of life. We as Christians stand on one side, and the world stands on the other. Whatever position we are assigned, whether defensive back, fullback, or wide receiver, we have a job to do. We might even get to be the quarterback, carrying God’s Word to the world, and at the same time, having to dodge the devil’s minions trying to bring us down; but one thing is sure: We have to give it all we’ve got, or our team will go down with a resounding thud.
How committed are we to the game? As committed as Chad Stover?
1 Peter 3:15 tells us:
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Or do we give up, backing down in fear that we might cause offense to those around us?
Galatians 5:1 tells us:
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
God has set us on the field to play the game. He has equipped us with his Word. We have to be prepared to butt heads for him.
1 Peter 2:9 tells us:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
We do not play this game by accident. We are chosen as members of a select team so that we might stand as a bulwark against the inrush of the enemy.
At any stage of the game, we might be required to leap at our foe, taking what hits we may in order to be successful in our defeat of the devil, even if that day becomes our day to leave this world behind and emerge on heaven’s distant shores. The enemy makes his advance, and we leap, risking all to take him down. We do it for the team. We do it for our fellow believers. We do it for the Lord.
Twice Chad’s coach asked Chad if he was okay to continue playing. Twice Chad nodded and stepped back into the game. Chad risked everything so that victory could be his. Why? Chad loved the game.
Are we willing to do the same? Do we love God enough to risk everything for him?
When we risk everything for God, everything around us will become unimportant, except winning for him.
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Code: FGO.J.05.14.vp