On Perspectives & Priorities

I make no bones about being a fan of the University of Georgia Football Team (pun intended). Both of my parents went to UGA, and in fact met at the Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville, Florida! Needless to say, red and black runs through my veins!

I have been guilty in the past of letting my football fanaticism play a disproportionately important role in my life. There have been times when I allowed the outcome of a football game to dictate my mood and my willingness to engage others in the world with a smile or a scowl. Becoming a dad has tempered a lot of that, but I still love my Dawgs. I can honestly say, however, that I have left my brethren who ascribe to the notion that college football isn’t a matter of life or death…it’s much more than that. I know, I know…you might not agree with me here. And my position might be a tad different come Sunday when I have to face my fellow football fans should UGA not defeat Auburn “between the hedges” on Saturday, but all-in-all, I strive to make sure I keep my football fandom in its proper perspective.

I am not the only one who strives for this. If you did not happen to catch UGA’s Head Football Coach Mark Richt’s press conference this week in advance of the Auburn game on Saturday, he made some comments that truly inspired me. He talked about the perspective he keeps in life between faith and football. Here is the excerpt to which I refer:

“I know you never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so it's not like we've arrived or anything like that. But we have played well lately and we've won lately so that's a big deal. Quite frankly, I love the game of football. I love my job. I love Georgia. But what I do is not who I am. I've said that before. I think sometimes if we become what we do, and then things aren't going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I've got a faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me. I just truly believe that. When all the games are done and all the life is lived, I know where I'll be for eternity. Not to say I don't care about what happens in this world because that's not true. Colossians 3:23 says 'whatever you do, do your work heartily as unto the Lord,' so that's what I was doing on a daily basis. I was doing my job as best I could and trying to do it for His glory and try not to worry about anything else. That's kind of how I navigated that time and there will be more tough times I'm sure. That's the way life is."

It takes a lot of courage to put your faith on display in such a public forum. Coach Richt takes seriously, however, the admonition that Paul mentions in Colossians 3 to do everything as though you’re doing it for the Lord. This is the way he conducts himself with his family, with his players, with his church, with his University, and with his God. Sure, he might run upon some criticism when his team is not winning football games, but I also think that it to be expected. He knows it. You know it. I know it. But one thing Coach Richt did not say that I think bears mentioning is found in the other part of Colossians 3.23. You see, Paul said that we do our work for God and not human masters. Wow! That’s impressive.

I know not everyone who reads this is a fan of Georgia Football like I am. I know you might not proudly display your red and black after the outcome of Saturday’s game, but one thing is for sure, Coach Richt appears to be a man who has in priorities in order. Regardless of what our job or role is in life, we can follow this example to make a true difference for Jesus Christ wherever we are! When life is all we hoped it would be, we can let our light so shine for Jesus. When life gets tough, we can also let our light so shine for Jesus. So whatever you do, and wherever you go, “…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3.23-24)