The Ohio State Buckeyes are the truest champion college football has ever crowned by beating Oregon 42-20 on January 12, 2015. Before this year, Associated Press and coaches’ polls tried to sort out the champion, with help from bowl games. But this year the first College Football Playoff National Championship put the top 4 teams in a tournament. Ohio was #4 and were underdogs the whole playoff. But they dominated Monday night’s game.
As a Buckeye fan and native of Ohio, I’m just happy they won. But overlooking my bias, there were some interesting examples about church and the Christian life I observed during the game. I just want to share them. If you think of another one, leave a comment.
1. Never Underestimate the Influence of the 3rd String.
It shouldn’t have been a contest. At quarterback, there was the Heisman Trophy Winner, Marcus Mariota, for the Ducks vs. the 3rd string quarterback, Cardale Jones, for the Buckeyes. The Buckeye’s 1st string quarterback (Braxton Miller) was out with an injury before the season started. The 2nd string quarterback (J.T. Barrett) became a Heisman candidate, but went out on the last game of the regular season. But Cardale led OSU to a blowout against Wisconsin for the Big 10 Championship, an impressive win against #1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and beat Oregon by 22 points for the first College Football Playoff National Championship.
In life it is easy to applaud the superstars but neglect the common workers. But success that is dependent on one or two superstars is very fragile. And when God wants to do a BIG thing, He often overlooks the talented and chooses the common. He chose a donkey to carry Jesus into Bethlehem rather than a stallion standing by. He chose the smallest shepherd boy, David, to be Israel’s greatest king rather than any of his older and taller boys. Even Jesus’ choice of early disciples reveals His fondness of common people, most were fishermen.
So if you are a leader in a church or business, make sure you take notice of your overlooked associates. Your success may depend on them one day. It probably does now, you just recognize it. And, if you consider yourself a 3rd string replacement, don’t underestimate yourself. God has a great moment for you. So prepare for your day in the ‘spotlight’!
2. Keep Plugging Away.
The hero of the game for OSU was Ezekiel Elliott. That guy was a ‘beast’ as he tore through the Oregon defense, averaging 6.8 yards a carry for a total of 246 years (championship record). But the difference between the first and the second half was the wear and tear on the Oregon defense, especially their line. Play after play, the Buckeye line pushed the defense back, making a hole for Ezekiel. By the second half, the Duck Defense was exhausted. And Ohio kept pounding until they owned the line.
Since I live in Michigan, I get to interact with Wolverine fans. Many of them cheered for the first time for Ohio in the championship game. Some just couldn’t do it. What we all liked about the game was it was an old-fashioned Big 10 game. I think Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler would like that the game was won in the trenches. For years the ‘West Coast’ run & gun offense has dominated football talking heads. But this year, it was the way football is supposed to be played – Big Ten style.
That’s the way life is. Most of life is not some glamorous big play or adventure. It’s the constant faithful attention to doing the same things right and wait for the results. We live in a world that wants success right now through some miracle or fast-moving action. But we are called to be ‘good and faithful.’ How do you stay married for 50 years? Love your spouse every day. How do you become a ‘great Christian’? Read your Bible and pray every day, go to church every week, share the message of Jesus when you get a chance… keep plugging away.
3. Don’t Let Mistakes Stop You.
You’re not supposed to win a football game, let alone a championship, with 4 turnovers. Ohio made 4 of them! And I guess that’s what makes you think… what would the score have been had they not turned it over? Interceptions, fumbles, and other not-so-great plays. But they refused to dwell on the mistakes. Get it out of your head and play the game forward.
Even the earlier season loss to Virginia Tech could have devastated their chances. Many counted them out. Few thought that any of the Big 10 could make the championship. But you can’t let others, or your mistakes, count you out.
In life we will make mistakes but we can’t let our mistakes define us. Even our sins are available to be washed away through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. So if God won’t remember our sins, why should we. Guilt is a poor motivator. So if you look back at your past and recognize how you would have lived differently, good. Use that wisdom to make better decisions as you move forward. Remember, life doesn’t have a reverse. Pick yourself up. Wipe off your tears. And get back in the game. We’re counting on you!
Do you have any life lessons you want to share?
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