Every once in awhile something happens on a Sunday morning that actually overwhelms me...such was the case last Sunday, August 17, 2008. I started out the morning like I do every Sunday morning making sure everything is ready for the morning service. I went over the quotes I was using for my sermon entitled "Are There Bugs in Your Light?" Then, about 15 minutes before the service was to start I was surprised who walked into the sanctuary...it was two of my football players of the team I serve as assistant football coach (offensive and defensive line coach).Before the service started there were 20 players plus the head football coach. I was asked by Mike Flores (head football coach) to help with the Silver Creek High School football team. This is the first year for football at the high school since 1942. The players and Coach Flores came to show their support for me and to thank me for all I do for them. To say the least I was overwhelmed by their attendance.
People ask me all the time why a minister would coach football and Sunday was a prime example of why. I do it because I want to help the players become better young men by the end of the season then when they initially walked onto the football field. What made their attendance at the service even more special is five of the players asked at Monday's practice if they could attend church every Sunday...boy there is definitely a God!
After church I had the players go into my office. They were amazed at all of the football "stuff" as they call it in my office. They said they are starting to realize how you can be a true Christian and still enjoy life...now if that is not a profound statement I don't know what is! That is the problem with a lot of churches they make young people feel that to be a Christian you can not be "goofy" or fun loving and nothing can be further from the truth.
I also explained to them how a church is really like a football team. God is the head coach; the pastor is the assistant coach and the congregation is the team. The players said they all get it now. That is what makes it all worth it to coach. When young men finally "get it" and become excited for Christ. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to be able to impact the lives of young men through the sport of football. THANK YOU LORD!
