Okay, I acknowledge I am a relative newcomer to Southeast
Conference sports and their deeply engrained rivalries and devotion … however,
after living for four years in Gainesville,
me and mine are officially engrafted into the Gator Nation. This was especially exciting during our time
in Virginia when many in our congregation were
devoted to the (ahem) Ohio State athletic
program … to which I point to recent national football and basketball
championship losses (or “thrashings,” depending upon your perspective). Suffice
it to say, it is great to be back within earshot of the Swamp and hear the
heavenly sounds of “Go Gators” and “We are the boys from old Florida.”
Well, to those misguided readers … whether Dawgs, Noles,
Canes or that errant Rebel in our midst, you need not write to chastise,
defend, proselytize or even vent.
BECAUSE - I think I have discovered some common ground for us all. While there are some things that make life a
lot of fun (like the SEC) … there are those things that make life worth
living. Those things give us something
we can celebrate together.
After you read this article I believe that you, too, can
be a Gator fan … if only for a moment and even if you choose not to let on to
your momma.
The only things we touch,
taste, see, smell or come in contact in this life that will last forever are God’s Word
and the souls of people. We readily acknowledge that we were not made for this “time” but
for eternity so that means we live our lives focused on the things that are going to last forever.
Tebow is right when he says that there will soon be a day
when his name, fame and influence are long gone and then what will be left? How he managed this sacred trust and the
results of his efforts are what will stay around for eternity. He is a fine example to believers of all
athletic persuasions. (Ignore that whole
circumcision thing … what in the world? I’ve never been on a mission trip like
THAT before).
Our priority should be to make the
Word of God and reaching the lost central to our day to day lives. None of us has the platform for ministry that God has given
to Tebow … but He has given each of us influence and opportunities. How are you taking advantage of those? Telling others about Christ means we love
people, live a Christian life in front of them, and speak the truth to them
about Christ.
I want to hear what God has taught you about this most
important part of our lives. Write me back and finish this sentence:
I share my faith by ….
In the meanwhile, click here for an audio "gift" from me to you.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
by Paul White
filed under