For those of us who are avid football fans – whether high school, or college, or pro – excitement is in the air as we contemplate the beginning of a new season. We have our favorite teams which we hope will make it all the way to the big game. We watch with keen interest as the prognosticators give their predictions as to which teams they think will have the best chance of making it to the championship. Every week we watch, hoping that our team will be one of the few that will be true contenders.

I remember when I was serving at Lochwood Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, years ago that every Sunday afternoon we would have a house full of young men who would gather to watch the Dallas Cowboys play. It would be an afternoon filled with tension as we watched the game. It was during the years of the Cowboys dynasty, the decade of the 90’s, when the ‘Boys won three Super Bowls in a four-year span. Those were exciting times, to be sure. But, alas, those were the last years of the ‘Boys days of glory.

There was one Sunday afternoon when, for some reason, the usual crowd did not gather at our house to watch the game. Teresa and I were home alone. That afternoon, Teresa did the unthinkable – she actually took a nap during the game! The audacity; the unmitigated gaul! How could she? So, I was left to watch the game alone. It was a game filled with lead changes, as the teams’ offense ran roughshod over the opponent’s defense. It became obvious that the team with the final possession of the ball would in all likelihood win the game. The Cowboys were down by four points with under two minutes left in the game. They received the kick-off after the opponents scored to take the four-point lead. Troy Aikman began the methodical two-minute offense, with passes to Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. The clock had trickled down to only a few seconds, just enough time to try for one last pass to the end-zone. The ball was snapped, Aikman dropped back, Irvin ran down the sideline, taking a healthy lead over the defender. Aikman threw the ball – a long, high spiral that fell over the shoulder of the defender, right into the outstretched arms of Irvin. It was a thing of sheer beauty. Irvin craddled the ball in his arms, doing all he could to secure it as he made his way toward the endzone for the game-winning touchdown.

However, he did not realize how dangerously close he was to the sidelines when he caught the pass. As he brought the ball down and cradled it in the crook of his elbow, his left foot slipped out of bounds on the five-yard line. The clock ran out. Game over. Cowboys lose!

Without realizing what I was doing, I found myself standing in the middle of our living room, screaming to the top of my lungs, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I was distraught, sickened, stunned, shocked.

But a short while later, as I contemplated my childish behavior, a thought came to my mind. How could I let myself get so caught up in a football game? How could I be so excited about a football game? And then, the question came to mind, “Are you as excited about your relationship with Jesus Christ as you are about a football team?” Pretty much everyone who knows me knows that I am an avid Cowboys fan. I enjoy talking about them with my family and friends. I enjoy rehashing game highlights with those who share my love for the game.

But, am I as excited about Jesus? Am I as quick to tell people of my love for Him as I am to share my commitment to a football team? I want people to know that Jesus Christ is my first and foremost priority in life. I want to be a vocal and visible witness for Him every opportunity that comes my way.

Yes, I am going to keep pulling for the Cowboys – I’ve been doing it for over 60 years now and see no reason to stop at this point. But Jesus Christ came into this world to die in my place, to pay the penalty for my sin, to provide redemption through His shed blood, and to secure for me a home in heaven through His victory over death, hell and the grave.

So, I will tell people about Him. He deserves my total allegiance, and I pray that I will always be faithful in sharing His love with others.

Until next time:

Blessings!