WHAT A FOOTBALL GAME CAN TEACH!

WHAT A FOOTBALL GAME CAN TEACH!

Prov 24:16-17

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

          My granddaughter attends Baylor University. That simple fact has colored the whole family green and gold! Yesterday they hosted the TCU Horned Frogs, a formidable foe indeed. In fact the Bears were down by two touchdowns before the end of the first quarter. It did not look good for the home team. Nevertheless, Baylor went on to win the game with a score of 61 to 58. The difference, I think, was perseverance.

          How far could you run carrying something that weighed only 15 ounces? Well, at just 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds, Walter Payton was not a particularly big running back for the National Football League. But he set one of sport's greatest records: the all-time rushing record of 16,726 yards. During his twelve-year career, Payton carried a 15 ounce football over nine miles!

What is truly impressive, though, is that he was knocked to the ground on average every 4.4 yards of those nine miles by someone bigger than himself. But he kept getting up, and he kept getting up, and he kept getting up. Great victories await those with great endurance.

May and June were not kind to young John Wesley. A single page from his journal reads as follows:

Sunday A.M., May 5—Preached in St. Ann's; was asked not to come back anymore.

Sunday P.M., May 5—Preached at St. John's; deacons said, "Get out and stay out."

Sunday A.M., May 12—Preached at St. Jude's; can't go back there either.

Sunday P.M., May 12—Preached at St. George's; kicked out again.

Sunday A.M., May 19—Preached at St. Somebody Else's; deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.

Sunday P.M., May 19—Preached on the street; kicked off the street.

Sunday A.M., May 26—Preached out in a meadow; chased out of meadow when a bull was turned loose during the service.

Sunday A.M., June 2—Preached out at the edge of town; kicked off the highway.

Sunday P.M., June 2—Afternoon service, preached in pasture; 10,000 people came.

Gal 6:9

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Dear Lord, the load I carry is not very heavy but it’s hard to make progress when I keep getting knocked down. Help me to keep my eyes on the prize. AMEN