Stay on The Field: Not in the Stands!

I’m sure the Pittsburgh Steelers were pretty excited about winning their sixth national championship at this year's Super Bowl. Those players on the field, however, could not have won the game without a coach and his staff.

In away, the coach’s position reminds me of how God works in the lives of His children, as stated in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." The coach’s goal is to coordinate all the talent and strength of the team to work things out for victory. The players listen to and obey the coach (and his staff) if they want to stay on the team. They learn the plays, practice the plays, get corrected when they mess up plays, and get encouragement when they do the plays right.

One thing they cannot do is to go out on a field and ignore what the coach says. How long would a player last if he said, “I don’t care what the coach says, I’m going to do this thing my way.” Let's get really crazy and imagine a player leaving the field, going to sit in the stands, and yelling to the coach: "Hey, could you bring me something to eat, and maybe a pillow?" He’d probably be off the team before he couldn't even sit down in the stands!

Is it any less crazy than a person who calls himself a Christian, thinking he can have a fulfilling life while telling God (either directly or through his decisions), “I don’t care what You say, I’m going to do this thing my way.” That person is simply going to lose out on the kind of life only God can “work out” for him.

In Romans, Paul is saying that God will work things out for good, not so that life will be easy and convenient, and the way you like it. Great football players have to respect and honor their coach’s wisdom, integrity, and commitment to winning if they are going to experience the victory. Romans 8:28 says that God works things out for those who love Him. The question is, “Do you love Him enough to let Him work for your good even when that work might be painful?”

If you love Him, you will do just that, and the victory will be won. It may take time; it may be painful; but it will be for your good and for His purposes. His purpose is to transform us into people who think and act more and more like Jesus Christ and less and less like the world. There is no better life than this.

Times are tough, but God is ready to “828” whatever circumstance you’re in for your ultimate good! The best thing you can do is TRUST HIM. Ask Him to 828 your day, every day and your life will become a whole new ball game! He just might use you to draw others to join His family and His team!