Who are you “playing” for? What is your motivation in the game of life?
As I watched the pregame festivities of the Super Bowl I loved listening to Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Both expressed important things concerning their motivation.
Peyton, who is probably the hardest working player in the game, talked of a responsibility to his team to be just as hungry in this Super Bowl as he was in his first. He realized he played for something bigger than himself. He talked of not playing for individual awards and statistics.
Drew talked of the city of New Orleans and how they had been through so much; yet when asked said it was not New Orleans that needed him, but him that needed New Orleans. Brees’ career was on the brink of collapse following an injury in San Diego. He didn’t know if he would play again but the Saints and the city took a chance on him. He was motivated by his gratitude and desire to return something special to them.
I think it was a great game to watch 2 highly prepared and highly motivated quarterbacks – (in spite of my Colts losing.)
It got me to thinking about what motivated us as believers. Far too often the message that comes out is to serve God for our own good, so we will get blessings. Although God’s blessings are wonderful I think our motivation should be to bring honor to God not blessings to ourselves. He is worthy!!!
I thought of David against Goliath. He fought not because of a personal desire for revenge or a pride issue; he fought because Goliath was disgracing the name of God. I thought of his prayer when he was king that is found in 2 Samuel 7. He says in verse 26 “So let Your name be magnified forever…” Even in the midst of God promising blessings to David he turned it back to a way to glorify God.
I must admit that I at times get my eyes focused on myself. I wonder why things don’t turn out like I want or why someone appears to take me for granted or why someone doesn’t notice all that I am doing…You get the picture – “selfish play.” Oh that I, that we, would remember the proper motivation.
We are “playing” for something and Someone that is much bigger than ourselves!
As the Apostle Paul declared: Philippians 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010 - Game-Time-Shooters
When I am teaching shooting to players we discuss the balance of a shooter. We talk about where the toes, hips, and shoulders are pointed. We talk about the knees being bent and butt being down. Yet one of the most important things we talking about training is the eyes. A great shooter needs to consistently zero-in on his target.
When a shooter gets this type of laser focus he will become a good “game-time-shooter.” I often have watched players in practice or warm-ups that can really fill it up; only to see them crumble when a little pressure is thrown their way. Others I have seen became better shooters when faced with a defender flying at them. They become more focused in adversity.
Lately the exciting thing for me has been seeing my son turn into a “game-time-shooter.” He has played against some tall, long, athletic opponents and is shooting a great percentage from 3-point land. Even when a 6’8” giant is flying at him he doesn’t take his eyes off the target.
I fear that in the church we have many that are not good “game-time-shooters.” These are those that “practice” well in the confines of the church but crumble under the pressures of life. They practice all the external things like what they should or shouldn’t do; yet fail to train their “eyes.”
The Apostle Paul had many pressures in life but he had a “laser focus” on his goal – the excellence of knowing Jesus Christ. In every circumstance he strove to focus on his Savior. He knew that he had to forget the past “shots,” whether good or bad, and focus on Christ in his present situation. (Read Philippians 3 to see this incredible “game plan.”)
(Side Note: We also see an example in the Old Testament of one that realized the importance of training his eyes for very practical purposes. When faced with the temptation to look away from God to earthly things – he responded with training his eyes. See Job 31:1)
How about you? When faced with the trials of this life do you stayed zeroed-in on Christ and His purposes? Are you a good “game-time-shooter”? Is Christ always your target?
When a shooter gets this type of laser focus he will become a good “game-time-shooter.” I often have watched players in practice or warm-ups that can really fill it up; only to see them crumble when a little pressure is thrown their way. Others I have seen became better shooters when faced with a defender flying at them. They become more focused in adversity.
Lately the exciting thing for me has been seeing my son turn into a “game-time-shooter.” He has played against some tall, long, athletic opponents and is shooting a great percentage from 3-point land. Even when a 6’8” giant is flying at him he doesn’t take his eyes off the target.
I fear that in the church we have many that are not good “game-time-shooters.” These are those that “practice” well in the confines of the church but crumble under the pressures of life. They practice all the external things like what they should or shouldn’t do; yet fail to train their “eyes.”
The Apostle Paul had many pressures in life but he had a “laser focus” on his goal – the excellence of knowing Jesus Christ. In every circumstance he strove to focus on his Savior. He knew that he had to forget the past “shots,” whether good or bad, and focus on Christ in his present situation. (Read Philippians 3 to see this incredible “game plan.”)
(Side Note: We also see an example in the Old Testament of one that realized the importance of training his eyes for very practical purposes. When faced with the temptation to look away from God to earthly things – he responded with training his eyes. See Job 31:1)
How about you? When faced with the trials of this life do you stayed zeroed-in on Christ and His purposes? Are you a good “game-time-shooter”? Is Christ always your target?
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