From the Home Place

November 14, 2025

When I got up at 3:42, the temp was 42; I’m sure glad that I didn’t get up at 3:00!

Today, I pause to pray for all of the young men who will be competing in the Wyoming state football championship games tomorrow. This is the day that the best of the best face-off to see who really is the best.

During my years of coaching football, I saw many different kinds of athletes. Usually, the most troublesome was the young man who was a natural athlete. Unless he had been coached to keep developing his gift of athleticism, such a young man usually became egotistical and difficult to coach. He could naturally play at a level above everyone else on the team by just showing up, so why sacrifice with hard work to improve? This young man’s motto is, “This team is really lucky to have me!” This young man played so that others could see how great he is.

I was always way more impressed with the young man who had to work harder than anyone else just to get a spot on the team. This young man was very coachable and was always wanting to learn. He had a work ethic that revealed that good things come to those who are willing to work for it. This young man didn’t care where he played, just so he got to be a part of the team. He played so that others could see how good his team is.

And then, there was the kid who was out for football because his dad wanted him to play. He tended to be lazy, and really not interested in learning new methods. This young man played so that his dad would notice him.

Now, take note that these three types of athletes resemble three kinds of Christians. Let’s start with the kind who is a “Christian” because their parent was a Christian. They know the basics, and that is enough. Seldom is this person willing to put in the hard work of improving skills, they too, tend to be lazy about their faith.

On the other end of the spectrum is the person who finds learning to come naturally. They know all of the right words and use them as if these words really described who this person is when no one is around. Talking the talk comes easy for this person. These folks tend to be big givers on “game day,” but really are not interested in giving of themselves during the week. Their life motto is “God sure is lucky that I decided to become a Christian.”

It’s the third type of Christian that is really a great blessing to God and mankind. This person realizes where they have come from and how amazing God’s grace really is. They work hard at getting to know their Savior at a deeper level. They too realize that hard work pays off. Their motto is, “I’m so blessed to get to serve God’s kingdom!”

I would suggest that most all of us fit into one of these categories. For one, “I am the blessing.” For another, “I’m doing this to please someone else.” Yet for others, “Jesus, I give You my life.” So perhaps we all need to ask, “Which person best describes me?”

Other personal questions might be: “Am I coachable, or am I God’s gift to humanity? Do I go to church so that others will notice, or because I want to be a part of the team, regardless of the position I play? Am I willing to do the difficult things to improve my obedience to my Lord? Am I playing to be noticed, or because of a genuine love for the game?”

It seems to me that times of solitude are great moments for self-examination. If I’m claiming to be a Christian for any reason other than “I”m a sinner saved by God’s amazing grace and I will do anything He asks of me,” perhaps I’m playing for the wrong team.

Why? Because we are all playing in the “Championship Game” of faith. Some will win a crown, and others will lose. Faith is never “Just a game!” Which team are you on?

Playing for the King with you, Neal