We had twice as many first downs as The Buckeyes in the 2002 OSU/Michigan football game. We out-gained them by about 80 yards, ran 41 MORE offensive plays, and held the lead until only 4:55 was left in the game. But we lost the game in the only stat column that counts - the final score. Effort didn’t count. Talent didn’t count. Good intentions didn’t count. In sport, only the final score counts.
Unfortunately, life after graduation imitated sport. Though blessed with an opportunity to play in the NFL, satisfaction and peace were elusive. There was a greater need in my life that was going unmet. In spite of my effort, talent and good intentions - I was powerless to achieve my goal!
After the “glory days” of competing in college football's greatest rivalry for 4 years I realized that my biggest opponent in life wasn't the scarlet and gray team that I faced every year in late November. It was sin, devouring me from the inside out. Sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, and selfish ambition were creating a huge separation between me and my #1 need in life...the need to love God.
It had become apparent that I was falling short of life’s goal line. I needed to be rescued. I needed to be changed. Finally, I turned to Christ and asked Him to do exactly that!!!
Meanwhile, I was just a lowly freshman in the fall of 2002, watching from the sideline. I was preparing for my chance to battle with College football’s best. I knew my time to shine would come soon enough when I received my 2002 national championship ring.
The fall of 2006 was MY senior year. It was OUR turn to be the best. We were the favorites again, ranked #1 from the start. Everything went our way. We beat #2 Texas on their home field. We beat the new #2 team, Michigan to clinch the first Outright Big Ten Championship for OSU since 1984. It seemed we were destined to win another national championship. But in the last game of the season, the bowl game against Florida in front of a national audience . . . we too fell short.
Talent didn’t count. Awards didn’t count. Stats and votes didn’t count. The only statistic that counted was the final score... and we were found wanting! It was a crushing realization. However, amidst the emotion of unfulfilled expectations and the criticism of disappointed fans, I knew my identity was not found in success or failure on the football field. My identity was found in my relationship with Jesus Christ. He gave me the forgiveness, direction and satisfaction that I could never earn for myself.
There is one final stat by which we are all measured. We and all come up dramatically short in our effort to be victorious over our sin and the consequences of our rebellion against God. (Romans 3:23). If the final gun were to go off today, the score would be lopsided against us.
But God has mercifully chosen to rescue us from that disaster and place us on his team – though we don’t deserve it. He offers us forgiveness, peace, satisfaction, and rescue from eternal destruction.
Do you want to be on that team? Do you want Him to rule your life? Will you let Him forgive you, save you, and change you? It’s such a great opportunity for you (as it has been for us), we are willing to “hold the line” until you can make that move.
But time is running out.
Join the TEAM,
Shawn Lazarus and Joel Penton
