CHARGER NATION: State Championship Game
Charger Nation,
I praise God that he
allows us to have competition. It is so
much fun. We are all so excited today
and have great anticipation because no one has a clue who is going to win. I sit around worried, anxious, and
excited. It’s a really messed up
state. One second I can be paralyzed
with fear of their quarterback and then the next second I’m excited about
seeing our boys play. What would life be
without these feelings? Competition is
great. It makes life so much more
fun! In fact, now that college football
is coming to an end, I will be so bored on Saturdays.
As we wake up this morning and get ready to head to the
game, I know that both teams have great anticipation for this game. Both teams desperately want to win and
receive the trophy at the end of the game.
I know that boys from both sides sit around and think about the ring
they will get if they win. (**There will
be no rings given at ELCA for 2nd place!) Being able to play in the Georgia Dome is a
reward in itself. Chasing after winning
and the reward that awaits the victor makes life pretty fun and an interesting.
“Every athlete
exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
1
Corinthians 9:25
This morning I woke up with this verse in my mind. In life, we all work so hard to achieve the
perishable wreath. Believe me, I do not
think chasing after the perishable wreath is in vain or a bad thing. God wants us to work hard and glorify him
through our work. However, it is when
the perishable wreath becomes our God, or our Idol, that it becomes a
destructive thing. Because of the sinful
pride that resides in us all, we chase after worldly trophies to glorify
ourselves. Whether it is a trophy, a
wreath, money, or material possessions, we want these things to signify how
great we are. We want glory and we can
never get enough of it. Our trophies or
our bank accounts prove how great we are.
We can’t get enough because we can’t enough of ourselves. This is when the pursuit of winning,
trophies, and money has become a destructive force. When they own me they become sin. When they become the reason I exist I have
clearly begun to worship these things and myself.
I want the boys to have a great time today and I want to
win worse than anyone. But I also want
the boys to understand that all of this is perishable. With that verse on my mind this morning, I
realize God was whispering to me: “realize on what is actually important.” To win football games, to win trophies, to
become rich: we do not exist for these things.
These things will not bring us everlasting peace and happiness. They will give joy for a moment but it will
be fleeting. We will be chasing
something else tomorrow. I want the boys
to understand that to pursue winning and to pursue success are not bad things,
but they are perishable things: Do not build your hope on things that are
fleeting and perishable.
As Christians, we can be sure that our pursuit of Jesus
Christ is the pursuit of the imperishable wreath. As a football team, we work so hard to try
and win and receive the perishable trophy.
As Christians, we should be willing to pay the same price in our pursuit
of Jesus Christ. But Jesus promises it
will not be in vain, for the victors in Christ will receive an imperishable
wreath: Eternal Life.
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but
the victory belongs to the Lord.”
Proverbs
21:31
BEAT Fellowship Christian!
Wholly for Christ,
Coach Gess
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