Some of you may have noticed that ESPN has been running events and promos highlighting the Jimmy V foundation during the past couple of weeks. Jim Valvano, or Jimmy V as he is more affectionately called, was the head coach of the NC State team that pulled a miraculous upset over Hakeem Olajwon and the University of Houston to win the 1983 national championship in basketball. The jubilation and excitement was evident as Jimmy V danced across the court. This normally would be the thought of as the greatest moment in a head coach's career. Jimmy V was not your normal basketball coach. His last mission after being diagnosed with cancer was to start a foundation to help save lives by helping find cures for cancer. His speech from the 1993 ESPY awards program still plays 15 years later on national TV and has millions of hits on YouTube. Cancer didn't defeat Jimmy V....it gave him focus for his passion and his perseverance created a lasting legacy.
Hearing Jimmy V's famous speech, my thoughts can't help but to turn to Philippians 3:13-14 "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Acts 20:24 teaches us a similar lesson in regards to focus "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to God's grace." If we can stay passionate in our focus for sharing God's grace, then we can say like Paul at the end of his life "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
So, what can we do to press on and finish the race strong? Well, we can be prepared through: 1) staying in constant communication with God through prayer, 2) reading the playbook (Bible), 3) spending time in the video room (remembering what God has done in our own lives), and 4) having a group of mentors/friends that provide God-guided counsel. Utilizing these tools to be solidly prepared, we can more fully understand God's love and grace and share why no one should ever want to be separate from God. As we are in the midst of the Christmas season, do you know of someone who needs to know God's love more? What good words will you have for them?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Who's Number One?
All this past weekend, the college football world was wondering who would win the Big 12 South and have the inside track for playing the SEC champion for the National Championship. Texas Tech fans were rooting for Oklahoma to lose, while Texas fans were rooting for Oklahoma to barely win so they might win a 3-way tie. As it turns out, all three teams won their games leaving it to the computers to determine whether Oklahoma or Texas would get the nod. Ultimately, Texas' petitioning for supremacy due to their head-to-head win over Oklahoma was not heard by the computers which awarded Oklahoma the Big 12 South championship. As you can imagine, this decision has sparked a lot of debate, consternation, pain (or happiness) among football fans.
Do you ever try to argue with God about who is number one in your life? You are not the only one. Samson bragged about his ability to kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey instead of crediting God for his strength (Judges 15:14-16). Wanting to be the best in our own strength can also lead to taking credit for what others have done in order to increase our reputation, like Saul took credit for Jonathon's victory over the Philistines in Geba (1 Samuel 13:3-4). It can also make us think that we have no faults like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
Well, there is only place for number one in our lives....there isn't 1a and 1b...just like 2 teams from the Big 12 South can't play in Kansas City this weekend for the Big 12 Championship. If we humble ourselves, we will be exalted...but if we try to exalt ourselves, we will be humbled (Luke 18:14). Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” There really should never be any doubt since God created the Earth, rescued His people from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, gave David the ability to slay Goliath with a sling and stones...the list goes on and on....most importantly having power over death by Jesus atoning for our sins. So, the next time you want to be number one, try to remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Do you ever try to argue with God about who is number one in your life? You are not the only one. Samson bragged about his ability to kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey instead of crediting God for his strength (Judges 15:14-16). Wanting to be the best in our own strength can also lead to taking credit for what others have done in order to increase our reputation, like Saul took credit for Jonathon's victory over the Philistines in Geba (1 Samuel 13:3-4). It can also make us think that we have no faults like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
Well, there is only place for number one in our lives....there isn't 1a and 1b...just like 2 teams from the Big 12 South can't play in Kansas City this weekend for the Big 12 Championship. If we humble ourselves, we will be exalted...but if we try to exalt ourselves, we will be humbled (Luke 18:14). Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” There really should never be any doubt since God created the Earth, rescued His people from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, gave David the ability to slay Goliath with a sling and stones...the list goes on and on....most importantly having power over death by Jesus atoning for our sins. So, the next time you want to be number one, try to remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)