Travis Collins Loved Sports,

TRAVIS COLLINS LOVED SPORTS, but instead of playing professional ball, he became a preacher and eventually served God as a missionary overseas. Once Collins returned to the United States, he wanted to remain close to football and dreamed of becoming an official. He worked hard learning all the rules for each level in his state. He practiced all the signals until he knew them without thinking. He went through game situations in his head. And he passed the test to earn the right to step onto the gridiron.

Reverend/referee Collins received his official assignment. He arrived early for the Oldham versus Christian School of Louisville, Kentucky, middle-school game. Clad in his new uniform with a whistle around his neck, he couldn’t wait for action.

Working with an experienced crew, Travis made a few early calls, expressing them clearly and assertively. He refused to let the game grow out of control. Finally, the preacher watched intently as one of the teams neared the end zone.

At last the ball crossed the goal line . . . or so he thought. Collins’s hands moved from his side. He blew his whistle as his arms reached over his head. Touchdown!

The action stopped. The players looked around. The head of the officiating crew walked over to Collins to confer: “You called a touchdown on the 5-yard line.”

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POINT Travis Collins was so excited about calling his first touchdown that he had watched the wrong line on the field. His face reddened with embarrassment as he corrected the situation.

A friend later teased him that officials who are afraid to call a touchdown they think they see on the 5-yard line will never call a touchdown at all. Collins was a strong and courageous referee in the first of many games he would officiate.

God wants his people to be strong and courageous. Without the courage to make dreams a reality, we might as well not dream. Without the strength to follow through, we’d get nothing accomplished.

GOAL! With your family or friends, share stories of embarrassing but well-intended mistakes. Ask God for the strength and courage to dream big dreams, even if it means making a few mistakes.