THE REVEALING TRUTH ABOUT FOOTBALL AND FAITH

 

Do you believe that a game like football can teach us something about faith?  Well, we are going to find that out today at #MindfulMondays!

Tis the season in my house…and you either get on board or get left in the dust of smelly cleats, pads, and jerseys!

About a year ago I wrote one of my most popular posts ever…and it was about football.  Go figure!

In it, I listed the 5 lessons I have learned about being a football mom for past 10 years.  If you did not catch it the first time, you can read it HERE.  

It’s a year later and guest what?  I’m still a football mom with two boys on the high school team.  And I continue to learn weekly about the game of football: listening to my boys talk around the dinner table, watching film with my husband as he tries to instruct me in the nuances of the game(yawn…oops did I really write that!?), and attending games every Friday night and Saturday morning as a true blue fan.

Just yesterday, I had to be reminded (probably for the 100th time) what a safety was yet again.  I thank God that they are patient with me!

While it is fun to learn about the game, I am usually looking for bigger life lessons that this sport can teach both me and my boys.  And I always seem to find them.

We have several wonderful volunteer (please note: volunteer) photographers who give up their time and comfort sitting in the stands to run up and down the field to capture amazing, action-filled shots of the players.

As I was scrolling one day through these pictures, I came across the one above taken by Connie Motter.

My son is #50 (he’s a right guard on the offensive line)  and the player with the ball (#31) is Joe, one of our star running backs.

This picture caught my attention for so many reasons.  And most of them have absolutely nothing to do with football!

I could explain that the offensive linemen are blocking the defensive players on the opposing team so that the running back can run.  Very simplistic and obvious, I know, but if I try to go into too much strategy my boys will cringe in horror.  So I won’t.

Instead, I will tell you what I see as a mom, as a layperson, as a spectator, and as someone who thinks the game is much more than plays, points, and penalties.

I see a team.  

I see them working together.  

I see every man doing his job to reach a common goal.

I see support.

I see guys leaning on each other (look closely and you will see Joe’s hand on Matt’s back).

I see the opposing team trying to take them down.

I see true grit, strength, and determination.

I see the will to fight and succeed no matter what the circumstances.

I see players making a way for each other.

And I can see myself.

And I can see you.

What is our goal?  To run our race well.  To fight the good fight.

The apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT):

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

 

Let’s make some parallels with this verse and the game.

The “crowd of witnesses” are the fans in the stands cheering us on to victory.

The “weight that slows us down” can be our opponents: sin, life’s struggles, or Satan’s attacks.

“Running with endurance” means pushing through with grit, strength, and determination no matter what the obstacles.

The”race set before us” is our specific calling in this life.

We keep our “eyes on Jesus” just like the players are continually looking to their coaches on the sidelines.  He has the playbook (the Bible) just like they do…and we both need to follow it to succeed.

Notice also that the pronoun used in this verse is WE.

Think about that for a moment.

That means WE (those who know Jesus and seek to follow Him) are on the same team.

Sometimes, like the offensive linemen in the photo above, we are called to block and protect for those who are running.

Other times, we have the ball and need the support and encouragement of our teammates to run hard and strong.

WE can work together.

WE each do our part to help everyone run the race well.

WE can support and lean on each other.

WE can resist the opponent and the Enemy together.

WE can run with grace, strength, and endurance.

WE can make a way for each other.

Why?

Because it is what God calls us to do.

And it is what it means to be a part of the family of faith.

So when I look at my boys playing football, God has so much more to teach me on this #MindfulMonday!

If you open your eyes this week and ask God to show you, you will see your ordinary life and extraordinary faith intersect in the most incredible ways…even by just watching boys play a game they love.

*SPECIAL NOTE:   After writing this, Joe (#31) broke his leg in Friday night’s game and had to have surgery.  He is now resting at home with a pin in his lower leg and will take six weeks to heal.  If you think of Joe (who is a senior) and his family, please pray for a speedy and complete recovery.  To see his football family surround him with love and care has been a beautiful thing to witness.  I asked his mom for permission to write this post after such a devastating injury and she agreed, hoping that their story will bless and encourage others.  I believe there will be more lessons to learn as we watch Joe, his family, his teammates, and his coaches handle a difficult situation with hope, strength, and courage.  

 

I hope you found today’s post a mindful way to start your week with faith and purpose.  

I would be thrilled if you wanted to follow me and #MindfulMondays by receiving an email each week.