Lots of hype going on especially for Steeler and Packer fans. I reflected this week about the "PFJ" (Play For Jesus) Ben Roethlisberger writes on his shoes and I also reflecting on his ongoing challenges with character. He is a sinful man like the rest of us. Society is full of examples of people who indicate a relationship with Christ through decorating themselves. For example: tattoos, eye black with verses, necklaces (with Jesus and without Him), and acronyms or verses on cleats and sneaks.
Certainly all of the above could be a great witnessing tool if it were backed with a strong testimony. Tim Tebow is a great example of someone who markets his faith but also lives it out. It is safe to say Tim has given his eye black to Christ as well as given his life to Jesus. Matt 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Western faith has its dimension of decorating ourselves but not surrendering our lives to Jesus.
Coaching basketball again has been a great blessing. God is revealing brokenness in me as a leader, like the time I yelled at officials out of frustration from the play of our team. The brokenness of my team that wears "Calvary" across our chest, the place where Jesus was executed for us. We have a label on our chest and consistently do our best to bring glory to God but we often fall short through non verbals and negative language amongst our team and toward officials.
Not failing to mention playing a "Christian school" last week where fans yelled the "N word" at some of our players" from the stands. We played a "Christian team" last week who left half their team home and did not play all their kids against us. The opponent found joy in a high school junior posting up a 6th grader. Is that really the Gospel? Are we really who we say we are? Are the decorations attracting attention to ourselves or do we really live it out?
None of us are righteous, not one, but are we doing everything possible to represent the Gospel in everything we do? Big Ben wears PFJ on the cleats but is he in a discipleship relationship to impact his walk with Christ. Decorations are great but an authentic growing walk and fruit bearing life demonstrating a testimony of a life surrendered to Christ is even better.
When life is over will the Lord ask us what we wore on our cleats and eye black? Did you have a dead Jesus on your necklace or was it just a cross? Will He say I loved that cross "tatty" you had! or will He be more concerned about if we know Him (Matt 7:21-23), who we shared the Gospel with and who we trained to share the Gospel with others?
As we approach football madness and worship the idol of sport, lets embrace our own brokenness, discover the plank in our own eye before pointing out the speck in Big Ben's eye and others. Ben I pray you would not only decorate yourself for Jesus Christ but lay your life down for him and bear eternal fruit for Him.
Are your decorations for the Gospel? Is your life for the Gospel?
Who are you discipling? Who is discipling you?
Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers
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