Life is Like a Football Game

People have a tendency to think that as Christians, we should have no problems or troubles. Oh how I wish that were true! You see, once you wear the badge of Christ, you become a target. Since football season is here, try looking at it this way. You're like the guy with the ball in a football game, running toward the goal and everyone else is out to stop you. But just like a football game, you are surrounded by your team who block and tackled for you. You have coaches that push and train you. You practice and practice until the plays are perfected. Then the big day comes to put all your practice into action. Sometimes you lose but sometimes you win. And if you lose, you pick yourself up and go at it again. Your focus remains on the goal line, you never give up until the game is over.

Our walk as a Christian is very similar. Our goal is to be like Christ; to be obedient to the Father as we learn to hear His voice; to love one another. However, none of this is achievable without lots of practice. That is why is why it is so important to spend time with God. We sit in His presence and let His Spirit refresh and renew us as He teaches us His ways. As we learn, we begin to think we are ready to go out into the field. But we are forgetting other very important factors, our team members, our coaches, etc. God knows all this is important, that is why His Word says to gather together to encourage and pray for one another. That is why He has ordained some to be preachers and teachers.

No one Christian is better than another, we just each have a different position to fill. The truth is, we all fall short. But we pick ourselves up, refocus on our goal, and ask God for help. With enough practice, we will eventually cross that goal line and score the big touchdown.

An "Off" Day

Who knew that writing a blog for a website would be so challenging? After all, it I only update it weekly. I thought it would be a piece of cake. What I am learning though is to be more in tune with God. Although I must admit, some days are better than others.

Take today for instance. I am feeling thoroughly and completely drained, wiped out, unmotivated. I want to scream, “stop this ride, I want to get off!!”. Why do I feel this way? I have no idea. God has blessed me many times over this week and I know that beyond any doubt. Yet I still feel like yuk.

However, I have lived long enough to know that what I feel isn't always real. Our emotions sometimes strive to overtake our mind and spirit. The key is to stay focused on God and His goodness. Which I have to admit isn't always easy. But I have resolved that no matter what, I am going to do all that I can do and let God take care of the rest

After all, everything we do is a commitment, and commitments come with a price. Perhaps they all don't have high price tags, but nonetheless, they each have one.

Disappointment

Have you ever been disappointed? Why? Disappointment is typically when we desire something or want circumstances to go our way and when this doesn't happen, we get disappointed. I had this experience just this past week. There was something I wanted very badly. On the surface it looked great and the price was exceptional. I was excited about it! The day after I spotted this opportunity it came to a screeching halt and my hope sunk. I told myself that God led me to that circumstance and all the “signs” pointed to confirm it. So what happened? Now I had a decision to make. How was I going to handle this disappointment?

You see, I was believing that God led me there. Perhaps He did, and if He did, why didn't it happen? Did I wait too long, pondering all the facts? Was I too hesitant to jump on it? I guess there's a good chance I'll never know the answer to that question for sure. But what I do know for sure is that God has my best interest at heart. I have to trust that if this was truly something He desired for me, it would have happened. For on the surface it appeared to be a sure-fire thing. But underneath, it may have been a disaster. Then again, perhaps I missed the boat because of fear and doubt. In that case, I cannot “beat myself up” for missing it. I need to learn from it.

Either way, I trust that God has an even better opportunity in store for me. And when that circumstance comes around, there will be no doubt or fear, for God has not give me a spirit of fear.

Smile

A little girl walked to and from school daily. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school.She also feared the electrical storm might harm her child.

Full of concern, the mother got into her car and quickly drove along the route to her child's school. As she did, she saw her little girl walking along. At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile. More lighting followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called, "What are you doing?" The child answered, "I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture."