January 9, 2017 (Monday)
Willie Nelson’s song, “Always On My Mind,” is a song about love. The title could belong to a song about football at this time of year. After a parade of college bowl games, the last two days have decided the “wild card” contenders for the playoffs and tonight’s bowl game will decide which university gets the honor of being named, “Number One.” Each NFL team next weekend will compete for the right to play again in the next step until finally only two remain to meet in the Super Bowl at Houston, February 4.
After football, then what? Basketball? Baseball? Soccer? Lacrosse? Golf? Tennis? These all have one thing in common: they, like football, have become mainly spectator sports. We like to watch. We prefer that someone else risk the broken limbs, concussions, and spinal injuries. By proxy we will rush the passers, tackle the runners, make a basket, hit a home run or make a hole in one. We will happily watch someone else do all those things and more.
What about the “game of life?” We cannot afford to become spectators there. Jesus invites us to “get in the game,” and take up our own cross. The author of Hebrews urges us to stay in shape and discipline ourselves when he says, “..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).