I know that football is held in too high of esteem by many. I know that some fans’ joy seems attached directly to the success or failure of their favorite team. I know that a lot of players and fans place the game of football in a position that God should alone hold and others compromise their faith by placing football above their loyalty to the means of grace (the study of God’s Word, gathering together with the church, prayer, communion, etc.). I know that a lot of people have it out of focus. I know that there are concerns about the potential injuries the game brings. I know all of that.
But I was reminded this week of one of the reasons I am thankful God allowed me to play college football and coach at the high school level. There are a lot of reasons but two events collided to remind me of why I am glad God gave me those opportunities.
I attended the University of Tulsa football game and watched a team my brother coaches and a team with several players who are a part of our church. They lost a very hard fought football game in overtime after they had accomplished a great comeback to tie the game just before regulation ended. The loss was like a kick in the gut. It hurt every player and every coach in a way that most people don’t get. Those guys put so much effort all week (and really all year) into preparation for that game. They extended themselves physically and suffered actual physical discomfort and pain in order to win a game and accomplish their goals. But they didn’t win, instead they suffered disappointment and criticism and to some extent failure. Then I remembered that they would get up on Sunday and begin the process all over again and risk getting kicked in the gut again next Saturday as they gave the same effort towards winning the next game.
That same Sunday I watched someone fail who I had been ministering to and extending myself for with the gospel in ways that hurt and then had another opportunity to extend myself in a similar way towards a similar situation for the gospel. God has graciously put into my life a discipline and a joy that is willing to get “kicked in the gut” again so to speak and feel the disappointment that the agony of ministry sometimes brings in order to pursue the hope of the great joy of seeing someone loving and treasuring Jesus. I see that same resolve to keep on loving in so many in our church.
I remember many a Friday night as a coach enjoying the thrill of our team winning and a lot of times knowing the pain of losing. And yet the way you deal with it is to get back after preparing for the next opponent. Why? Because it is what you love or what you feel called to and the goal is worth it for the team (all who you are going after the goal together with) that you are committed to.
That feeling in football is simply multiplied by a much higher goal as we live out the Christian life together as a church family – a life of love where we are called to give ourselves away for others and for the gospel. The prize is immensely more valuable and the joy is significantly more intense and what is at stake is eternal instead of temporal – I know all of that…but I am thankful that God gave me common grace examples that have stuck with me and I pray that He will do that in the lives of the young men who love Him who are getting to play one of the most fun team games imaginable. And I pray that Springs of Grace will be a church that gets back up and gives our best at loving each other, loving our neighborhood, loving kids, and loving our Savior again next week and the next week and the next week – even if some weeks it feels like you get kicked in the gut. “Greater love has no man than this than that he lay down his life for his friends.” “Whoever wishes to be the greatest among you, let him be the servant of all.”