God's Coaching #11

God's Coaching #11

Some plays in sports become so famous that they’re simply known by a couple of words. In the AFC Championship game on January 11, 1987, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway led his team on what will forever be known as “The Drive.”

Playing at Cleveland to decide who would go to the Super Bowl, the Broncos found themselves sitting on the two-yard line with five minutes left on the clock and trailing 20–13. In swirling winds and falling temperatures, John led the Broncos on a 15-play drive against the Browns’ tough defense. The right side of John’s uniform was caked with mud, but that didn’t stop him from running for first downs or throwing pinpoint passes. John converted a third-and-18 play with less than two minutes in the game when he rifled a ball to Mark Jackson on Cleveland’s 28-yard line. Then with 31 seconds left, John threw a low fastball to Mark in the end zone for a touchdown!

What’s the Score?

The Broncos continued the momentum from “The Drive” into overtime. They got the ball first and went 60 yards in nine plays to kick a field goal and win the game, 23–20. John Elway and his teammates’ perseverance had paid off in a trip to the Super Bowl.

Perseverance is a big word. Simply put, it’s the power of persistence in pursuit of an objective. (Try saying that 10 times fast!) It didn’t take the Broncos one big play to reach their goal. It took 15 little ones. Perseverance is a process. Second Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (NIV). When you persevere, you can win on the playing field and in your faith.

On the Ball

At the beginning of a new year, it’s good to look at your goals for the next 12 months. What would you like to accomplish? Some goals aren’t easy. You’ll have to go step by step. Write down your goals for different areas of life:

At school, I want to _____.

In my activities, I want to_____.

In my personal life, I want to _____.

In my relationship with God, I want to _____.

Coach’s Comment

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)