Football & Jesus

The kickoff of football always brings great joy and excitement--in Texas. In Austin. In our home. I am a lifelong fan of the Cowboys and the Longhorns, but the truth is that I really love to watch the game. Period.

And this year it has new significance since my son Joseph is playing for the first time. For years, he has played video versions like Madden '05 (and '06 and '07...) NCAA 2005 (and 2006...). But this is the first time that he's actually strapped on helmet and pads, made contact, and gotten hit.

Two nights ago after practice, he had just showered and ran upstairs to show me the bruises on his arms and legs. Funny thing, testosterone...as he's showing me the bruises, he's grinning from ear to ear. And, he walked out of the room with as much swagger as a 5th-grader can muster.

Funny what God can teach you about faith and church through a 5th-grader's bruises:

1. THE BRUISES MEAN YOU'RE REALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE TEAM. Players who sit on the sideline never get bruised. They hold clipboards and carry water and critique those who are actually on the field.

2. THE BRUISES PROVE YOU'RE NOT A PANSY. Players who are afraid to stick their heads in a pileup, block someone bigger than themselves, or tackle a runaway ball-carrier never have to worry about bruises.

3. THE BRUISES HEAL. Bruises aren't permanent. What's a little pain and discoloration in exchange for the unbridled joy and thrill of being on a team that's moving in the same direction and being someone who contributes to that movement.

4. THE BRUISES ARE REAL. No one ever got bruised playing a video game. Bruises mean that you've moved from virtual reality to actual reality. You're not talking about it, studying it, or critiquing how other people do it. You're actually playing the game.

Do you smile at the bruises or try to avoid them?