Get up and Get Back In!
“…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).
During the 1929 Rose Bowl game, Georgia Tech played California. At a crucial point in the first half, a California player, Roy Riegels, recovered a fumble. While avoiding tacklers, he became confused and ran 69 yards the WRONG way. Not hearing the shouts of his coaches and teammates, he was finally stopped by a teammate before scoring a safety (two points) for the opposing team.
As his team shuffled into the dressing room at halftime, Roy found a dark spot in a corner and placed a towel over his head. When the team was ready to return to the field, the coach stunned everyone by announcing that Riegels would start the second half. As players began filing out of the dressing room, Roy didn’t budge.
When his coach approached, he could see that young man’s face was soaked with tears. Without looking up, Riegels said, "Coach, I can't do it! I've disgraced the University of California. I can't face the crowd in the stadium." The wise and compassionate coach placed a hand on Roy’s shoulder and said, "Get up and go back in. The game is only half over."
The coach was right. Roy Riegels played a stellar second half, including blocking a punt. He was named team captain and earned first team All-America honors.
**********************************************************************************
Mistakes - we all make them, plenty of them. Some of our miscues may even hurt or offend fellow Christians. If that occurs, we may be tempted to “leave the field” or “quit the team”.
God, however, is well-aware of our flaws and sins. He knows that we have failed Him in the past and will likely do so in the future. But His love for us never changes. As long as we acknowledge our sins and refuse to give up, God is always ready to put us right back into the "game".
As long as we have breath in our lungs, the “game” is not over. God is behind us and is cheering us on. With His help, the best is yet to come.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
“…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).
During the 1929 Rose Bowl game, Georgia Tech played California. At a crucial point in the first half, a California player, Roy Riegels, recovered a fumble. While avoiding tacklers, he became confused and ran 69 yards the WRONG way. Not hearing the shouts of his coaches and teammates, he was finally stopped by a teammate before scoring a safety (two points) for the opposing team.
As his team shuffled into the dressing room at halftime, Roy found a dark spot in a corner and placed a towel over his head. When the team was ready to return to the field, the coach stunned everyone by announcing that Riegels would start the second half. As players began filing out of the dressing room, Roy didn’t budge.
When his coach approached, he could see that young man’s face was soaked with tears. Without looking up, Riegels said, "Coach, I can't do it! I've disgraced the University of California. I can't face the crowd in the stadium." The wise and compassionate coach placed a hand on Roy’s shoulder and said, "Get up and go back in. The game is only half over."
The coach was right. Roy Riegels played a stellar second half, including blocking a punt. He was named team captain and earned first team All-America honors.
**********************************************************************************
Mistakes - we all make them, plenty of them. Some of our miscues may even hurt or offend fellow Christians. If that occurs, we may be tempted to “leave the field” or “quit the team”.
God, however, is well-aware of our flaws and sins. He knows that we have failed Him in the past and will likely do so in the future. But His love for us never changes. As long as we acknowledge our sins and refuse to give up, God is always ready to put us right back into the "game".
As long as we have breath in our lungs, the “game” is not over. God is behind us and is cheering us on. With His help, the best is yet to come.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
RSS Feed