tis the season

Sunday, November 4, 2012

What A Game!

You might not know this about me, but I love college football. It's more of a way of life down here in the South than a sport or recreation.

Yesterday was game day and two heavy-hitting, physical teams squared off in what proved to be the game of the year so far. And that was case for each team for different reasons...

LSU has fallen in the ranks. It is not seen as the power house to beat as it once was for so long. The team has faced adversity and loss. Alabama has been riding high. They have shown week after week why they are viewed as the top team in the country.

For those of you who aren't football followers, stay with me. You need to know, there is a lot of history between these two. Each is like a bad habit to the other. It comes around a few times each year - and just when you think you've kicked it for good and put it in it's place, it gets the best of you once again.

In the match up last night, what both teams experienced was a life lesson. One that we can all learn from....

LSU came to play. In their home among their legions of loyal, hungry fans.They got momentum early in the game and did not lose it. Their confidence rose with each play completed, each ball caught. Much like one of their standout players, the team as a whole was a giant powerhouse that would not be stopped. Against the odds and in spite of some careless mistakes, they were winning. Even though the scoreboard didn't always reflect it, they were winning big and they knew it!

Alabama was not itself. All of the coaches and players were in place, but something was just off. Slipped tackles and overthrown passes. Saban's well-oiled machine was experiencing some technical difficulties. And as the game went on and LSU rode that wave of momentum, Alabama's energy level weakened. But in the end (literally), when it counted the most, Alabama came back and drove the ball into the end zone destination for a win. Perseverance paid off once again.

Laying in bed thinking about this game last night, I had to chuckle to myself. I look back at the plays and see metaphors for life. (That is just so me!) God is so big that He is in everything I see, even a football game! I get the lessons and hear the messages in what transpired before me on television....


We all have days where, like A.J. McCarron (Alabama's quarterback and leader), the pressures of our situation get the best of us. They throw us off of our game. Things just aren't working. And it seems the harder we try, the worse things get.

And all the while, our Coach is on the sidelines saying, "Remember what I have taught you. Drown out the noise around you and listen to my voice."

Whatever the circumstance or situation that is throwing you off your game today, it isn't too big for God. He sees the bigger picture. He knows the plays that will lead you to victory. With Him, you will persevere. You will overcome.

*The picture comes from a post by Amber Haines at (in)courage.com... don't ya love it!

2 comments:

  1. Loved this post! It is always surprising to me how other things always relate back to what we are learning from reading our current book. We watched the Notre Dame vs. Pitt game and went into 3 overtimes. It was an exciting game and I'm sure both teams' coaches were thinking what you wrote above. The analogy that goes with it with God being our coach and us as the team is great!

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    1. That Notre Dame game was a great one, too! Seeing those young men give their all and leave everything they have on the field just never gets old for me. Thank you so much for stopping by... I appreciate you, as always! :-)

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