At this point, Super Bowl 50 has come and gone and the battle of Blue vs. Orange has been determined. The hype, predictions and speculations over which team would win was everywhere and having so many friends that live in the south, Blue was the color of choice. My team didn’t make it as usual so this game did not hold any special meaning until I heard this whisper in my ear… “Is God the touchdown in your end zone?” Sometimes life is like that – we are either in the game or not and we hear whispers! 🙂
We spend our lives making our way to the end zone. Our days are marked by plays that move us down the field, out of bounds or ones plagued by penalties that take us farther away from our goal. Plays can be spectacular or average but daily life is like that. We don’t experience many of the spectacular plays, but most of us still strive for the end zone. We seek that touchdown or goal that signals we have made it. But have we really “made it” if at the end of our striving, God isn’t there?
So let’s ask ourselves these questions… Is God the touchdown in your end zone? Is He the final play you seek as the game of your life comes to a close? How will you strategize and fill your playbook as you look ahead? Finally, how will you handle the penalties of life that lead you off the field or in the wrong direction?
[Tweet “Is God the touchdown in your end zone? Is He the goal in your final play for glory?”]
We spend our lives focusing on ourselves, family, a job and perhaps God. We mix up our priorities and cling to a “me first” attitude before we even consider others in the equation. We decide what we want, need and how we are going to attain those things. Little consideration is given at times for the bigger picture that includes everything outside of ourselves. We read in Ecclesiastes that it is folly to spend our whole life toiling after things that never truly reward us with that big touchdown.
Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11
What do we gain when our focus is one sided, searching for the bigger and better plays that we are sure will deliver? Are we just managing or are we living out the plays in our playbook that God has carefully written and thought out before we were born?
[Tweet “When God is our ultimate goal, we see clearer and have a vision of a brighter future.”]
When our sights are on the seen, we end up missing the intimate details and vision of a future that is brighter because God is our ultimate goal. We stumble when life gets hard and we don’t know how to find the clear direction that will lead us back on track. We plan until we can’t plan anymore, but we are not able to strategize every scenario and solution by ourselves. We grab for happiness that is really a figment of our imagination. Our lives don’t have a clear purpose and going through the motions is all we know how to do. We stay stuck on the twenty yard line for years instead of moving forward into new and glorious beginnings.
When the final play arrives for my life, I want to know that God is the touchdown in my end zone because I chose Him as my Lord and Savior. I asked Him to be the keeper of my playbook and I followed the plays that He knew would be best for my life-penalities and all.
I believed not even knowing what was next.
We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:6-7
I loved others rather than just myself.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39
We reap the reward of eternal life when we seek God’s glory and not our own. Our final play will be meeting Jesus face to face. Now that is a touchdown that I cannot wait to make!
Is God your final play on the path to glory? How will you hand over full control of your life’s playbook?
Choosing God and heading to the end zone!
Mary
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Hi Mary,
I also did a post about heading for the goal of our faith. I love that outlook. Great to see you again.
Blessings,
Janis
Sounds great, Janis! I love this outlook too because keeping our eyes on the goal line or Jesus will always get us to where we need to be. Blessings!
I don’t understand much about sports but I do get your point about making God our goal. 🙂
Very well said. Happy weekend to you! 🙂
Growing up with four brothers has helped me to get a handle on some sports. Football is one that was relevant because of the Super Bowl last Sunday. Thank you for being here, Lux. Always a pleasure!
Mary, this challenges in all the right ways. Our focus is so important. Who we look to and how we play the game of life counts far more than we often realise. God is Chief Coach and Cheerleader for the play, as well as the one who welcomes us Home with all the comforts our weary, footsore souls need. I love the fact that it isn’t our ball skills (or the lack thereof) that counts; it’s our willingness to follow God’s directions and surrender the outcome to Him. This ties in beautifully with my last FMF thoughts and also with the way God is leading me into deeper dependence on Him in all things. Thank you for not taking your eye off the ball and reminding us to do the same.
God is the ultimate reminder for all of us that all it takes is keeping our eyes on Him. As we make the plays in our lives, fumble, get sidelined or when we are successful in making the big play, Jesus is the coach who is always ready to put us back in the game. I appreciate you sharing how this connects with what God is sharing in your own life and leading you to next. He will never fail us and sometimes we learn that the hard way or the easy way. May we both keep our eyes on the ball as we learn to faithfully walk with Jesus.
Mary, as I was reading this, I pictured a life of ignoring the plays and any advice the coach gives you–just running rampant toward the end zone, hogging the ball, not listening to your teammates, who are running alongside you shouting things at you, throwing up their hands—thinking, “Look at me. Aren’t I wonderful? Listen to the cheering of the crowd. They love me. I can do this. I don’t need you, God. I don’t need anyone else. And look, there’s the goal-the end zone. Here I come!” And you get to the end zone, and it’s the other team’s. You’ve failed. The crowd is laughing. Your teammates are swearing. And your coach, Jesus, comes over and hugs you, swats your fanny and says, “Now get back out there, and listen to me next time.” Great post-Super Bowl thoughts.
I love this comment because you took my analogy a step farther and gave me a different look at what happens when we don’t listen to the coach. The plays fail, we make mistakes and the end result is nothing like we expected. However, the best part is that when Jesus is our coach, we get to go back in the game again even after making mistakes. Thank you for adding to this conversation. Great thoughts!
I felt like this went so well with my I WANT GOD theme for 2016 and beyond. Because it isn’t just for this year, but for that want to be the want above all things ALWAYS.
Love you, friend. Love your heart.
Amen! Desiring to want God always is the striving we reach for and should be what we hope for when we reach that final touchdown. Your theme of wanting God is beautiful and one that we all need to embrace. Thank you for always sharing from your heart! Happy weekend!
This idea, not necessarily about an “end zone” per se, has been batting around in my head a lot lately, Mary. I just finished up the book of James and it really challenged me to think about how much my life demonstrates Christ-like living and sacrifice. God has been opening my eyes to the many small ways I can do something for “Kingdom purposes” rather than my own. Even today I decided to make a meal for a friend of mine who had surgery. Normally, that would be something I’d consider to be something of a burden in my already too packed day, but today I said to the Lord, “I’m doing something for the Kingdom of God!” And it felt really good … maybe even like a touchdown! 😉 Hugs to you!
I am hearing the same message of kingdom work lately. It is not enough to just sit on the sidelines. God calls us to get in the game and do the best we can. I believe we can have mini touchdowns on our way to that big one that we will achieve when we make our final play.
Thank you for the insight as to what has been on your heart. James is a great book to challenge us to reflect on what God’s truth looks like when played out in our own lives. Hope you have a blessed weekend.
Hi Mary! I really enjoy football, and I really had reasons to like both teams, so I couldn’t lose! My sister lives in Colorado, so her team won and that was nice.
I do like your football analogy, and I understand the game pretty well. Do I understand the game of life as well? Do I aim for the goal line, knowing that Jesus is there? He will be if I want Him to be.
God give me the grace to not be sidelined with doubt, or tackled by sin on my way to the goal. I hope to see all my fellow travelers there!
Blessings,
Ceil
Thank you for adding to my football analogy through your comment. It has been so enjoyable reading everyone’s comments. I can only succeed at the game of life when I set my eyes on God to lead me through. I pray we make it down the field together and see each other at the goal line someday!
Love having you here, Ceil!
Well, while I’m not a football fan {or even understand the first thing about it!}, I do love where you’ve gone with this touchdown analogy, Mary.
Thanks for continuing to draw us closer to the King …
To be honest, football is not my favorite sport but we are talking the Super Bowl!!! I am glad you enjoyed the analogy. There are so many more things I could have added and instead some people did through their comments. I love it!
Glad we are on this path together whether it’s going for a touchdown or just striving for the King!
I like your thoughtful question here. If the whole point of the race is about us then we have missed it! God forbid. ..
I am not sure I have stopped by this year at all to say Happy New year. So there it is friend.
I have been swarmed by life lately. Hoping to get a deserved break or so by next week if God permit.
Lots of love by the way how is your new daughter?
Hugs and blessings to you.
Hi Ifeoma! It is good to see you! Thank you for stopping by and affirming that this life is not ours but God’s! My new daughter is a beautiful gift and the wedding was beautiful. Hugs and blessings to you too!
I’m with you! Not much of a football fan, but if God’s playing then I’m all in!
Honestly football is not my favorite sport-basketball is. But it was timely to use the football analogy because of the Super Bowl. The best part is the God is playing in every game!!! 🙂 So good to see your beautiful face here today.
Great analogy, Mary, especially with all the football talk that’s been going on lately. Love your picture with faith not sight. I for one am glad that God does know my future even though I don’t and I choose to trust Him! Blessings to you!
First, I wish I had taken the picture of the daisy but that is one of the few that is not mine. Thank you for your kind words. Even though football is not my favorite sport, I felt that there was so much to say on a different level referencing the game. I pray you feel God’s presence as we move through the rest of our week! Blessings!
Mary, I am with you. I love your analogy of a touchdown with God at the end of our lives. I so desire that, yet how often I live for the temporal and not the eternal. Thank you for spurring me on to higher ground, friend. Much love to you today!
So glad you joined me today, Julie! I tend to be a more here and now person myself, but there is something so right about being content and prepared for the greatest touchdown of our lives-meeting Jesus face to face. Have a blessed rest of the week.
This is great- it ties in with things God has been teaching me lately about what it means to really put him first and focus on him in everything, and trusting him and following his direction even if we’re not sure where he’s taking us.
Thank you Carly! I appreciate your kind words. I imagine since you are working your way through the book “Anything” you are learning so much about letting go and letting God. If you say “Yes”, He’s going to ask you to do more. Thank you for being here.
YES, HE IS! This is unadulterated TRUTH. (My mom used to say that!!!)
Amen and mom’s know best don’t they???? I am glad that God’s truth was shining through these words today. Praying the rest of your week is blessed.
Mary,
If only we could have just skipped the “Blooper Bowl” and had your words of wisdom instead. Thank you for helping us aim for God in the end zone…and not get distracted by so many other things going on. I’m weighing some decisions and your post has helped…
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xx
Thank you for telling me that my post helped with some of your decisions. I would love to pray for you. You can message me if there is a specific way I can pray today. I am praying that we all reach for God not just in that final touchdown but through all the plays of life. Sending hugs your way!
This post is such an important reminder. God should be our end goal, glorifying Him shining a light on His love so others will come to believe.
Amen! It’s nice to know that one football game could teach such an important lesson. I am blessed by your sweet words today. Thank you for being here.
Oh, I hope so! I often try to take control of the playbook, but I know that’s not a good plan :). I completely missed the Super Bowl because I was driving to Albquerque for a one-day conference :/ .
I know I am grabbing the playbook because I think I know best. As you can imagine that doesn’t usually work out too well. God has the best playbook already figured out for each of us. We need to defer to His expertise.
So someone planned a conference on Super Bowl Sunday??? Hopefully it was a good one. Hope you are well my friend!
I’m not a big football fan, so I don’t really know a lot. But I can kind of follow some things and sometimes check the score to see if the team my kids or grandkids are rooting for is winning. 🙂 I do know I make a lot of fumbles, and I’m so grateful God is so patient and forgiving. Also, I really long for that final play of meeting Jesus face to face! Thank you for this encouragement, Mary.
I am right there with you on making too many fumbles. In God’s eyes that slip up is nothing because He lovingly extends grace over and over. As for our final play – oh my – it’s going to be the most amazing thing ever meeting Jesus face to face. Thank you for you sweet words and for blessing me by being present here in my blogging home. Hugs friend!
As an Auburn fan, I was pulling for the Panthers to win the Super Bowl. But I’ve also been a Peyton family fan for years as well, so I was glad to see Peyton finish up with a huge win. Your question pulls it up to a higher level though, and yes, I do want God to be the touchdown in my end zone. Thanks for this, Mary!
You are the first person to actually comment specifically about Super Bowl 50. I admit it was one of the few games I have ever watched all the way through to the end. I love knowing that you want God there for your final touchdown. It is an amazing thing to even wrap our brains around to say the least. Thank you for blessing me with your comment and presence.
Mary, what a beautiful post, and a super perspective. Yes, everything I do, each decision I make, every word I speak should be moving me closer to the end zone. I know I fumble the ball . . . a lot. I say and do things that don’t bring Jesus glory. At least as I grow older, I do this a little less. 🙂
I am definitely looking forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face when I get to heaven one day. Maybe my extra point will be the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . ” 🙂
I love your extra point reference and I would love nothing more than to hear the same words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. I can say that I have less fumbles as I get older and am thankful that God brings back into the huddle time after time. I guess experience does come with age!
The day of meeting Jesus face to face is going to be glorious. Praying we all choose to stay in the game until the final touchdown when we meet Jesus.
Loved this, my friend! What a perfectly timed and wonderfully true analogy. “I followed the plays that He knew would be best for my life-penalities and all.” I hope to be able to say that as well. That is such a key to life. He knows what is best, even those annoying penalties :). I hope your Dad is healing up and that you had a wonderful birthday, Mary! I meant to text you that day and time has certainly got away from me.
I am not a huge football fan but somehow the football analogy reigned in my writing today. I keep racking up so many penalties, but God keeps bringing me back into the huddle and letting me play in the game. Good to see you here and thank you for checking on my dad and the birthday wishes. We will get together soon!
Oh, I am with you friend! Can’t wait to see Jesus waiting on our arrival in heaven! What a great touchdown that will be. Loved your analogy today. And praying that your day is restful.
Thank you for stopping by in the middle of all your busyness. It means a lot. I continue to pray for you and your mom and know that we are so blessed because we have God on our side.