When Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback, Jameis Winston first came into the league, he met with Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League.  Winston had already had a great collegiate career, but with some notable troubles of his own making off the field. When Winston walked into Goodell’s office his eye caught a Super Bowl trophy. He walked right over to it and said, “I want to get one of these.” Commissioner Goodell pointed across the room to another trophy and said, “I prefer you get one of those.” He was pointing at the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award given annually to one player for his volunteer and charity work. 

There is obviously a difference between a between a Super Bowl trophy and a Walter Peyton award. It’s not that one is wrong and the other right; not that one is good and the other bad, but each one aims at a different target.  David Brooks of The New York Times draws the distinction between “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” Resume virtues want to build, create, use, start things…to conquer the world. Eulogy virtues want to embody certain moral qualities, to have a serene inner character, not only to do good but to be good…to obey a calling and serve the world. 

Life is not as simple as choosing between the Super Bowl Trophy and the Walter Peyton award. And, life is really not a choice between resume virtues and eulogy virtues. Life is a blend of each.  As we move through this year together, let us choose this wonderful blend of eagerly embracing obedience to God’s commands, and immersing ourselves in God’s boundless and joyous love.  If we stay drawn near to Jesus Christ, it will absolutely transform the way we chase trophies and fill up resumes, as well as the way we serve him and leave a legacy that will last forever.

  Quote of the Week

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  C.S. Lewis