“Let’s get ready to RUMBLLLLLE!”
Maybe it was my childhood spent in Europe, or maybe it was growing up seeing life centered around golf; I never ended up getting into football. But, even though Super Bowl Sunday may not be that big of a deal to me, there are definitely some things I know about being on a winning team with a final guaranteed victory!
1. Play on the winning team: I’m on team Jesus. Team Jesus is always victorious. The cool thing is that anyone can join. God recruits anyone and everyone, as long as they accept the team name. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
2. Put on your team jersey and gear: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6: 13-15).
3. Have a good defense: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Pet. 5: 8-9).
4. Pray: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Eph. 6: 18).
5. Make some noise: “When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies” (Num. 10: 9).
6. Tackle your enemy: “But don’t stop; pursue your enemies! Attack them from the rear and don’t let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand” (Josh. 10:19).
7. Feed the crowd: “(About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, ‘Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (Lk. 9: 14-17)
8. Stay hydrated: “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life’ ” (Jn. 4: 13-14).
9. Cheer for your team: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13: 11).
10. Pay attention: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Pet. 5: 8-9).
11. Get back up again: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5: 3-4).
12. Take a time out: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “ ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ “ (Mk. 6: 31).
13. Don’t run the wrong way: “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands” (Ps. 119: 10).
14. Make a touchdown! “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4)!
15. Finish the game: “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).
No matter the sport, no matter the journey, no matter the circumstances; at the end of our game of life on earth, the silver lining is eternal victory through Christ Jesus!
Related topics at The Silver Lining:
Acknowledgements:
Photo courtesy – Roy Harriman
Opening quote – Michael Buffer
The Silver Lining 