Crossing the Goal Line

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me.

-- John 14:6

With the kickoff of football season just around the corner, this is a good time to remember the legendary “Wrong Way” Roy Riegels.

In the 1929 Rose Bowl, Riegels — who played center for the University of California Golden Bears — picked up his teammate’s fumble on the Georgia Tech 30-yard line. But instead of simply falling on the ball or moving it forward, Riegels turned around and dashed 69 yards in the wrong direction toward his own team’s end zone. Golden Bear quarterback Benny Lonn finally caught up to his confused teammate at the 3-yard line and tried to turn him around. But it was too late. The Georgia Tech defense swarmed over Riegels and tackled him just in front of the goal line.

The result? Riegels and his team ended up losing the game 8–7 while opponent

Georgia Tech claimed their second national championship. After his infamous blunder, Riegels was in despair.

“Coach, I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.”

“Roy,” responded California’s head coach Nibs Price, “Get up and go back out there. The game is only half over.”

That’s good advice for anyone who’s made a wrong turn or two in life -- which means all of us. As Christ-followers, Jesus forgives our sins and turns us back in the right direction. But there still are things we should do to help avoid the missteps that can lead us astray and hinder our faith-journey.

First, never walk alone. We may think that we have everything under control and can take the trip by ourselves. But God isn't looking for so-called Lone Ranger Christians. Instead, we should be in regular fellowship with other Christ-followers. And when we do meet with other believers, it must be in a spirit a truth -- meaning without deception or sin.

We also need to agree on a map for our journey, which happens to be God’s Word: The Bible. And once we’re headed out, we should also expect some bumps along the way. Yes, there will be stretches of smooth pavement with beautiful scenery all around. But there will also be potholes, steep hills and rough terrain. And finally -- and most importantly -- we need to trust our Guide. Jesus, who was God in the flesh, has not only gone before us, he's the only one who has ever lived a perfect, sin-free life. He knows the way because he is The Way.

Have you gotten lost or turned the wrong way along your faith-journey? If so, you’re in good company. Now’s the time to join the crowd and get back on the road. And then follow Jesus.

Training Camp

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

-- 1 Corinthians 9:25

There’s something strangely appealing about rooting for the underdog. So maybe that helps explain the lasting popularity of the movie Rocky and its many sequels.

If you’re one of the dozen or so people who have never seen this cinema masterpiece, Rocky is essentially the Old Testament story of David and Goliath set in run-down 1970s Philadelphia. Rocky Balboa is a washed-up, down-on-his-luck boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight Apollo Creed — the reigning heavyweight champion of the world. The match is simply a stunt dreamed up by Creed’s public relations machine, and few give Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone) much chance of surviving the fight’s early rounds.

No one takes the match seriously ... except for Rocky. And as he begins to prepare and reach milestone after milestone, even his skeptical girlfriend, coworker and trainer begin to believe that there might be a slim glimmer of hope.

Rather than the dramatic — but somewhat unrealistic — fight scenes, the

footage of Rocky’s unorthodox training regimen is arguably the best part of the movie. We see the blue-collar boxer working out in the local meat processing plant, strengthening his body by drinking (yuck!) a raw egg breakfast cocktail, and then building his endurance by jogging through the city’s mean streets. The sequence ends triumphantly as Rocky races up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, raises his arms in victory and surveys The City of Brotherly Love.

At first glance, good’s ability to triumph over evil is Rocky’s lesson for movie-lovers. But the less obvious New Testament message is the value of training and discipline in our lives. As Christ-followers, we need to develop and use the gifts and talents God has given us to make a positive difference in our community and the world. For example, we’re called to explain the basis of our faith to anyone who asks us. But how can we answer questions from a neighbor or coworker if we don’t regularly set aside time to read and study the Bible and know what we’re talking about? This type of spiritual training is also a great way to grow closer to God by developing our ability to listen for his voice. And in turn, it helps us discern right from wrong when faced by those modern-day scenarios that are so rarely black or white.

Rocky Balboa’s chilly, early morning jogs through Philadelphia’s grimy streets also remind us about the critical need for endurance in our spiritual journey. The road we travel as Christ-followers is anything but straight, smooth and easy. Jesus tells us, “Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”

Rocky is much more than a classic underdog tale: it also teaches key biblical principles. It was the blue-collar boxer’s steadfast adherence to a grueling diet and training regimen that helped him become a great champion. Likewise, it takes focused training, discipline and endurance for Christ-followers to become the great faith-driven people God envisions them to be.

Living Passionately

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come

that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-- John 10:10

It’s said that if you find a job that lets you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.

That’s a good observation when it comes to career planning. But it’s also true when it comes to life in general. The Bible tells us that Jesus arrived to give us life -- and to give it to us abundantly. This reveals that God doesn’t want us to live out our days by simply going through the motions.

But many of us do just that. Too often, it seems like life is just about getting up, fighting commuter traffic, spending 8 or more hours on the job, eating dinner and then going to bed.

One day fades into the next, month after month and year after year. And then the day finally comes when we look back at our lives and wonder what happened.

What’s the solution? As Christ-followers, the first thing to understand is that our time on this planet is limited. In fact, the world isn’t really our true home. We’re just passing through in this thing called life. And one day, God will call us home to his kingdom.

The mortality rate is 100%. Therefore, we must avoid living out our days with regrets about what could have been. The key is to live each day passionately. And one way to start is by living like you actually know the day and the hour of your passing. This will reveal your true priorities and spotlight the people, causes and activities that mean the most in your life. They are your passions.

But here are some disclaimers. Before pursuing any passion, be sure that it’s God-honoring. Also, what invigorates you must last into eternity. For example, Jesus’ passion was doing God’s will. Christ even went so far as to say that his words were his Father’s rather than his own. He also explained his actions by pointing out that he did only what he saw his Father doing:

“Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” Jesus asked. “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

Discovering a life-passion is easy for some people but elusive for others. Ask God to reveal his will for you in this crucial area. And once he has, pursue it wholeheartedly in the time he’s given you. Then let that passion become contagious -- so much so that those who aren’t Christ-followers will ask what (or really Who) drives you.

Are you living a passionate life -- one that’s God-honoring and abundant? If not, don’t let could-haves become should-haves. 

Your someday is right now.

Give It a Rest

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

You’ve seen them in the bookstore, online and in the workplace. And you might even have a few at home. They’re those yellow For Dummies books that help you do everything from gardening to database management to gourmet cooking. There’s even one on Christianity.

The For Dummies books and their companion website are popular because so many folks these days don’t have the time or patience to learn and appreciate why things are the way they are. Instead, they want to know (quickly!) how it's done without the annoying details.

That’s not always a bad thing -- particularly when there's a last-minute project at the office and you don’t have a clue where to start. So let’s give them their due. The For Dummies books and their imitators can often save readers hours of time and at least a couple of sleepless nights.

But there’s a downside when we overemphasize shortcuts and quick fixes.

In 21st century America, our hectic lives can consist of random snapshots and scattered sound bytes rather than full-length, Technicolor documentaries. We literally don’t stop and smell the roses, which just happen to be some of God’s most beautiful creations. Then we miss out on life.

Wouldn’t it be nice once in a while to just interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget about the everyday grind? The Bible tells us that God agrees. And that’s why he created the Sabbath. It’s one special day each week (not necessarily Sunday) when we can worship, relax with family and friends, do good for others and generally enjoy life.

That’s one valid way to look at the Sabbath. But it has a much deeper meaning. This special day also reflects a special person (Jesus Christ), who exemplified everything the Sabbath should be. Although he had only three years to save the world, Jesus still took time out to pray, help others ... and even attend a party or two. Never in a hurry, he even called himself The Lord of the Sabbath. And he still had time to complete his must-do to-do list.

Do you ever wonder how you’ll ever get it all done? Learn from Jesus’ example and just give it a rest.