Post-Game Praise
“Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will lift you
up.” James
In Living Above
The Level of Mediocrity, Chuck Swindoll says, “Our
most vulnerable moment, as you may have heard before, is immediately after a
great victory…Those who appreciate your stand will say, “Wow! What a great
person you are! Wait a minute. Watch yourself at that vulnerable moment.
Continually think of yourself as a mirror, reflecting the light of Jesus Christ
to them, or as a servant, honoring the Master. Don’t let the crowd get their
eyes on you and make an idol out of you. Keep giving God the glory.”
God desires that we give Him the glory. In last night Super Bowl conclusion, we
heard the polar perspectives. While boasting repels others, humility endears
us.
The classic story of the Animal Super Bowl between the large animals
and the small animals recounts the incredible clash. The large animals, as you might imagine, were
just cleaning up on the smaller animals (There was just no contest). They would
kickoff to the rhino and he would receive the ball in the end zone and rumble
down the field and an elephant receives the ball at the end zone. Squirrels were hanging on to his legs. Butterflies were pecking at his tusk and all
kinds of stuff. It was just miserable.
At the end of the
half, it was large animals 40…small animals 0.
To make matters worse, the smaller animals had lost the coin toss at the
beginning of the game…so they had to kick off again to the large Animals.
Will they kick off and an elephant receives the ball at the
end zone. He started to rumble downfield
for a certain score (when “Bam”) he’s dropped dead in his tracks on the
five-yard line.
The first play from scrimmage, they hand off to the hippopotamus…and
bam! He’s dropped dead in his tracks.
The next play, they hand off to the lion (probably from Detroit) and bam! He’s
nailed him.
The third play, they hand off to the cheetah and boom! He’s dropped for
a loss. They figure they can go for it
and the gorilla quarterback takes the snap and rolls into the end zone and is
ready to throw, but he’s hit and the ball comes loose.
There is a mad scramble for the fumble and they are all over
the place. The ref starts pulling
animals off-large animals, small animals. On top of the ball was this little
tiny centipede (touchdown…small animals).
They pick him off the ball. They say, “Man was that you who hit the
elephant on the kickoff?” He goes,
“Yeah, that was me.” They say, “Was that you who hit the hippopotamus and Detriot
Lion in the backfield?” He says, “Yeah, that was me too.” They said, “And the
cheetah and the gorilla?” Yes, that was me too.” They said, “Man, where were
you in the first half?” He
said, “Aw, shucks! I was getting my ankle’s taped.” Humble indeed!
Story after Biblical story recounts the “Great” ones who
were quick to give God glory after a victory. Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and who
can forget…David? The Psalms were full
of Post-Game Praise to the All-Time Undefeated God. As you move though this week, take time to
thank Him. If done enough, it causes us
and others to say, “Wow! What a great God!”
Terry Risser
Reflections:
1) Name
a provision, an answer, or an area where God deserves praise.
2) Tell
someone what He has done in your life.
Consider reading the word today:
Copyright 2014- Terry Risser
No comments:
Post a Comment