What a great Super Bowl Sunday we had yesterday with Coach Tommy Bowden! It was so fun seeing everyone in their favorite jerseys and getting to talk to Coach Bowden about faith and football. While he has so many accomplishments and accolades as a coach, he was very clear that there is more to life than those things.
One day we are all going to watch our last Super Bowl. Last night’s game will be the last Super Bowl some people ever watched. One day we will play our last basketball game, last round of golf, or take our last fishing trip, and the sun is going to set on our life.
It will not matter if you have the greatest successes in the record book. Winning a Super Bowl or a College Football Championship, or being voted Coach of the Year multiple times, will not matter when it is your time to die. All that matters is whether your name is in God’s record book.
In sports, you can always look back and say, “I wish I would have changed the call.” When you die, the one decision you will wish you had made is to put your faith in Jesus. Have you put your faith in Him?
You can make a host of excuses right now:
“I am as good as the people who go to church.”
That may be true, but we do not compare ourselves to others. God sets the standard. None of us measure up.
“There are hypocrites in the church.”
I agree. There are in every walk of life. Just because there are bad restaurants doesn’t not keep you from eating!
“I am going to wait.”
For what? God is not going to write another Bible and Jesus is not going to die again on the cross.
“I’m not worthy.”
No one is but Jesus.
“I can’t live the Christian life.”
It is not about rules. It is about a relationship.
“I am too busy.”
You are not too busy to go to work, school, a ballgame, or to die.
“I have my own religion.”
It is not the Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, or Pentecostal way. Jesus said, “I am the way….”
“I am not ready to join the church.”
You are right. You have to first trust Jesus.
“I have tried but failed.”
You may have tried religion, or good works, but Jesus never fails.
“I like my life the way it is.”
Will you like it 20 or 40 years from now or when you die?
One day, you will regret all of those excuses. The biggest let down is when you are putting your hope and trust and purpose in something that cannot deliver what it has promised. Like Tom Brady said after winning three Super Bowl rings, “There has to be more to life than this.” No amount of stuff or prestige will ever be enough. We will constantly be on the search for the next something until we come to the realization that only Jesus can satisfy. The ultimate purpose in life is found in Jesus.
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Every married couple knows how it all begins. Someone makes a proposal, and someone says, “Yes.” Jesus has made the proposal in His Word. Romans 10:13 says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Have you said “yes” to His proposal?
