The 2018 Super Bowl is history. Only one team could win. The prize is enormous. Monday nights are game nights on T.V in many homes across America. We put our children in team sports almost before they can walk, let alone kick a soccer ball! We hear the competitive nature of the game as parents stand and shout encouragement at players and periodically yell at the officials. We say, “Do your best and win!” The philosophy of how a game should be played is wrapped in “the most important thing is winning”.
Sacrificing whatever it takes… integrity, tripping the kid in front of you…breaking the rules…winning is the objective. Reaching the goal…first! Teaching our children true fulfillment is by-passed on the altar of “me first” winners! Losing is not an option.
Don’t misunderstand me. Team sports are a part of our American heritage. Just don’t miss the real goal… “…Straining toward what is ahead. I press toward the goal to win the prize…” (Phil.3: 13) And how we get there is the key.
What’s the prize?
Do you want to be a winner in life?
Do you want your children to be real winners?
“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way? (Pro. 20:24) God has a plan for our success. How can we think apart from His purpose??
God has called us “heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if, on some point you think differently, that too, God will make clear to you.” (Phil. 3:14) Competitive sports show us the importance of focusing and reaching for a goal! Binding ourselves to His eternal goal and plan and continually pushing forward toward Christ for His equipping as parents, mothers, grandparents, teachers and examples makes us winners. His empowerment is the prize. We are not programmed to get the job done apart from Him.
God doesn’t want our best. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet, not I, but Christ lives in me”. I repeat…God doesn’t want our best…He wants us! Us…yielded to Him, so He can do HIS best in us and through us.
What is God’s goal?
What does He require of us?
“To act justly
To love mercy
To walk humbly with your God”.
Micah 6: 8
Humility necessitates complete yieldedness to Him, His plan and His Will.
“…Not I, anymore, but Christ who lives in me…”
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
