Jesus is Owner! - December 11, 2009

Good Friday morning! The air looked cold at the Steelers-Browns game last night; perhaps not so frosty as the Steelers' coach will be this morning. The Steelers lost their fifth game in a row and now may not make the playoffs after winning it all just last February. What do you do in this life when you seem to be faltering? The team of 'me' has lost several games in a row and now stands way behind in the current match. You look to your bench, but it's empty. You look at your resources and then at the other team's, and you don't stand a chance. You stand on the sidelines as coach, and on the field as the team captain, and when you look up to the owner's box; there you are. No wonder things seem overwhelming; all you have to work with is you! This is the moment we realize that something is missing in our lives. When 'me' is the only resource, and 'me' is trying to coach and own the team, there is no team.

When 'me' finally hears the Good News of Jesus Christ, each of us makes the decision to hire another player ...no? Correct, Jesus doesn't join our team; he is not a high-priced quarterback to hire from some other team. We each must give up ownership to our Lord. Jesus doesn't sit on the bench or occupy a spot in our team's line; He sits in the owner's box. When we want to run this play or that, we check with the owner. Want to add a player to your team by getting married or having children? Check with the owner. Want to try a new career? Check with the owner of the 'me' team. Suddenly life turns around for us.

Oh, not all at once to be sure. The game of life has many new trials and temptations for us, but we do notice that the 'me' team is suddenly winning a few games. We look to the bench and there are now just enough resources at just the right time to run a good play. Some problems remain and sometimes we fumble the ball or throw an interception. Yes, we also may walk out onto the field and trip over a blade of grass at times, but on the whole we feel a new confidence in the outcome. And well we should, for Jesus has already won the victory!

A new life in Christ is not an easy walk to the league championship. You and I may have to play tough games for years before we are called home. However, with Jesus in the owner's box, we have whatever we need to make to the last game.

Live the game of life with Jesus in the owner's box!

Bucky