Everything You've Got!!!

Last week I went to watch the Nebraska men's basketball team play Oklahoma with my 10 year old son. As we watched the game, I was so impressed with the level of effort that Nebraska gave on every possession! I pointed this out to my son because I wanted him to be able to recognize and applaud guys who were working with all their heart to play good defense, find open shots, rebound and protect the ball.

As the game progressed, there were several times where bodies became airborne in a sacrificial attempt to save a possession from ending in a turnover, or to gain a possession from the opponent. Again, I pointed this out to my son and reminded him that this is how God wants us to compete (in fact how He wants us to do whatever we do)...with everything we've got!!

But the gospel of Jesus Christ reminds us as Christians that this isn't just for personal glory. Paul tells us that those without Christ can be found working with all their heart, but they do it for a crown that results in nothing more than some short-lived personal glory; a perishing wreath or tarnishing trophy.

However, as Christians, our reward is not self-exalting personal glory, but eternal Christ-exalting glory to God. We should give everything we've got in whatever we do for the glory of God. When people ask us why we work so hard at everything we do, our response should be to point to the cross! We do it because of what He did for us; this is our love response to how He first loved us with everything He has!!!

When we compete (and live) this way, God's way, we display Jesus as the most beautiful reality in the world to the people around us. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord and not for man."

There are two ways of doing sports; man's way and God's way. Which way are you on today?

Chris Bubak
FCA-Nebraska State Director