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LIFE TEEN Presents "Spread the Word" |
Blessed are those who dance in the endzone?
“…as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:31
Situation Explained
Have you ever gotten annoyed with athletes or other stars who seem cocky, prideful or totally self-centered?
Solution Offered
Football season is back and I have to say I’m excited. Watching football is one of my favorite things to do (although, I don’t get to do it as much as I used to – as my little girls aren’t interested in any “team” not wearing pink).
...all of our gifts...should be used for His glory I was watching the replay of a “classic” football game not too long ago. It was an incredible game…one for the ages. There was one moment in particular, though, that caught my attention. The home team marched down the field in the final seconds to score the winning touchdown. For eighty yards all eleven players worked as a team, one squad with one heartbeat, it seemed. At the end of the drive one of the wide receivers caught a pass for the final ten yards and made his way into the endzone. Everyone went crazy, in the stands and the sidelines…even in the television booth.
It was at this point that the receiver began doing his dance, posing and flexing, making faces at the crowd and, for the most part, ignoring his teammates who had come to congratulate him and to celebrate as a team. Following the victory the same player spoke to reporters and continually spoke of the fact that no one could stop him, that he was a “machine” and that he wanted the whole world to see that he is the best player to ever put on a uniform.
The receiver who caught the pass was given all the attention and glory, which he gladly accepted, and desired. What was lost amidst the media circus, however, was the rest of the team, one player in particular. There was another player in the background, a player whose block made the touchdown possible, who wasn’t interviewed on camera; he was interviewed, however, by a local paper. Eventhough this game took place years ago, the interview (which I read online at the time) was so impressive that I remember the “unknown” player’s words, still today. When asked what he thought about his block, the humble player simply responded, “I’m just thankful God gave me some ability in this area and that I get to use my blessings to bless others. The real winner here is God…always is”.
The two players had two very different quotes and two very different goals. The two players wore the same uniform, but the character and attitude beneath each jersey was drastically different. What they have in common (with us) is that they (and we) are all receivers…receivers of spiritual gifts from God, gifts that are intended to bring Him glory, not ourselves.
St. Paul speaks so clearly to the people in Corinth in this verse today, reminding them that all of their gifts…all of our gifts come from God, our Creator and should be used for His glory, never for our personal attention or gain.
In no way am I saying that athletes are more guilty of boasting than the rest of us, they are just put in more situations where we hear the boasting. The truth is that every Christian has a responsibility to acknowledge the gifts that God has placed within him and not to deny them (that would be false humility). Once the gifts are identified, though, we should always strive to put those gifts to work for the purpose of building up God’s Kingdom, God’s family, God’s Church…never just for our own personal gain, reputation or attention.
A sports reporter once wrote, “In high school, most athletes play for the name on the front of the jersey but in professional sports more and more athletes are playing for the name on the back.” He meant that when we’re younger and receive less attention or money we have the team in mind (the name on the front) but that as time, temptation and the world weigh down on us, we begin to think more about ourselves than the team (the name on the back), sometimes.
If God threw His team’s jersey on you today, which name would you be living for?
Salvation Given
“…as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:31
Live for God in all you do this day, so that all may see God’s glory touch down on earth.
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| Affectionately known as the "Bible Geek ®”, Mark Hart serves as Executive Vice President for Life Teen International. A graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a popular speaker, award-winning author and weekly regular on Catholic radio programs.
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