Play All Out Or Not At All!
I’m writing this post out of total frustration over something that’s completely stupid and trivial, I know. It’s about football (at least to begin with), and for those of you not into football, I don’t expect you to understand and that’s ok. I just need to get this out there–maybe it’ll help me feel better, ha. Doubt it.
In case you haven’t heard, last night my Colts willingly gave up a perfect, undefeated season to rest their starters. We were up by 5 in the 3rd quarter and our coach/GM yanked everyone out and put in backups, including a rookie QB who’s never taken a meaningful snap in the NFL. It was excruciatingly painful to watch, our lead was gone in the span of 30 seconds and our perfect season–gone–just like that.
For me and most loyal Colts fans, it’s not about the perfect season–it never was. It’s about playing to win the game. It’s about giving your all, despite the consequences. It’s about playing your heart out until the final whistle blows, leaving it all out on the field. To be completely honest, I’d have more respect for the Colts if they played all out, lost the game AND every single one of their starters to season ending injuries, than to roll over and quit like we did yesterday. Yes, I know we’re in the playoffs, we’ve won everything there is to win to this point (home field advantage, first round bye, etc), but that’s no excuse for giving up on your fans and your players like we did yesterday. You not only gave up the game, you gave up on your players–the same players that got you to this point–and even worse, you gave up on our fans who cheer you on week after week.
I won’t go into the consequences I believe will result in this pathetic decision–because I doubt anyone cares. But suffice it to say, I wholeheartedly believe this will be the turning point in our season. We will fall because we haven’t learned from past mistakes. We will fall because we decided to take the safe road and abandon the toughness that got us to this point. Even if we do somehow manage to pull off another Super Bowl win, I will have a hard time savoring the win because I will remember the day we had a chance to do what only one other team has done before, but decided to give it up to play it safe.
This may be the quickest/strangest transition ever written, but on a totally different note, I can’t help but apply this same scenario to my own life. In what areas have I given up? Is my life being played all out for God or am I resting, taking the easy road? This is very much a Biblical principle–it’s something God wants from his people! I was reading this morning in Revelations–a book I’ve always avoided because of its complexity and symbolism– but in chapter 3 He says:
“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” ~Revelations 3:15-17
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ~I Corinthians 10:31
What about you? Are you playing it safe? Are you putting your all on the line every day for His glory?
