From the Pastor

My guess is that the players on the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl understand all too well what it’s like to endure suffering and hardship in pursuit of a great dream. The NFL season is a grind, a battle of attrition, and each team has had to battle and overcome adversity to make it this far and to the big game. 

We know from the Apostle Paul’s writings that he was a big sports fan and that he often compared his own suffering with the athletes of his day. Paul told the Philippians, “I run with my eyes on the prize.” Another time he said, “I do not shadowbox, I really fight.” 

Sunday’s winner will lift the Lombardi Trophy, and celebrate their victory as a team, and part of that joy will be in recognition for all the preparation and hard work. 

Back in the first century, Paul watched athletes sacrifice and train to win not a trophy, but what he called “a perishable crown” – which was the wreath of laurel leaves that would grace the head of an Olympic champion. And yet, for the life of a Christian there is so much more! Our lives are not defined by wreaths, medals, or trophies. And Paul knew this when he said if those athletes, who gave everything they had in hopes of winning a fading laurel wreath that was going to eventually turn brown and fall apart, — then how much more should we endure anything and everything for the unfading eternal crown of knowing Jesus Christ.

Please enjoy the game Sunday, and I hope it is a good game. Just remember Paul’s words, and also the words of a short, old Gaither song, “There’s Just Something About That Name.” 

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name. 

Master, Savior, Jesus,

like the fragrance after the rain. 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

let all Heaven and earth proclaim;

kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name."

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” 

Vince Lombardi, former Head Football Coach