Whatever It Takes

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;
my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me
— the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

– Acts 20:24

The Super Bowl — one of the world’s most-watched sporting events — is just days away. Just what does it take to get there? The entire NFL schedule covers 333 games including 65 in the preseason, 256 regular-season match-ups, 11 playoff games and the Pro Bowl. And in addition to overcoming 17 weeks of hard-hitting competition, a ticket to The Big Game calls for intense discipline featuring countless hours of on-field practice, classroom study and game-tape reviews.   

Kurt Warner understands how discipline and perseverance make all the difference between a champion and a runner-up. The NFL Hall of Fame quarterback excelled in football, basketball and

baseball in high school, and even led his gridiron team to victory in Iowa’s Shrine Bowl. This success, however, didn’t translate into a big-name college scholarship. So for the next three seasons, Warner rode the bench at the University of Northern Iowa until his senior year. It was then that he guided his Panthers to an 8-3 record while garnering honors as Offensive Player of the Year.

Although Warner had talent, no NFL team picked him in the draft. So he stayed in shape and supported himself financially by stocking shelves in a supermarket. Before long, he joined an Arena Football team. And NFL scouts eventually noticed his abilities, but he was cut during tryouts for the Green Bay Packers. Warner finally broke through by starring in the NFL’s now defunct European League, and later signed a contract as the Los Angeles Rams' third-string quarterback. The following year, when the starter suffered a season-ending injury, Warner got his chance. And he responded by leading his team to a 13-3 record and an unlikely victory in the Super Bowl.

“People think this season is the first time I touched the football; they don’t realize I’ve been doing this for years — just not on this level — because I never got the chance,” Warner told reporters. “Sure, I had my tough times, but you don’t sit there and say, ‘Wow, I was stocking groceries five years ago, and look at me now.’ You don’t think about it, and when you do achieve something, you know luck had nothing to do with it.”

The Bible also endorses the value of discipline and training. For Christ-followers, that means developing and using our God-given gifts and talents 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 set aside time each day to read and study the Bible and know what we’re talking about? This type of spiritual discipline is also a great way to grow closer to God by developing the ability to listen for his voice. And in turn, it helps us to discern right from wrong when faced by those modern-day scenarios that are so rarely black or white.

Although the NFL wasn’t around 2,000 years ago, the sport of long-distance running was popular back then when the apostle Paul used it in 1 Corinthians to illustrate the value of spiritual discipline:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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.”

It takes a disciplined regimen, and plenty of bruises along the way, to make it to the Super Bowl. Likewise, it takes discipline and endurance for Christ-followers to become the faith-driven champions God wants us to be.