By: Pastor Ty Houghtaling

I have played many sports over the years; some just for recreation, others for real.  I have spent hours and hours preparing for contests that would determine who would be victorious and who would hang their head in defeat.  I think over the years I might have enjoyed practice more than the games. I’m just wired that way. 

The games are stressful.  Practice is where you can make mistakes, and those mistakes don’t directly impact the results of the game.  Practices don’t have the same intensity though.  Practices are safe, but they are missing something that only the game can offer.  Some have suggested that life is a game.  It can seem more like practice until some fateful moment in time forever changes things.  How do you know when you are just practicing life and when you are in the game of life?

I don’t like to play games when the rules are unclear.  I don’t like when people play games with my emotions.  I’m scared to play games with God.  I worry about misleading people in this game of life.  It does appear that there are winners and losers in this life.  It also appears that there will be a final buzzer at the end of this game.  What happens when the game is over?  I read a quote from a legendary basketball player that said, “I was only nervous in games when I knew I hadn’t done everything possible to prepare for the game.” 

Are you prepared for what comes after this game of life is over?  If not, I encourage you to read Matthew 16:24-27.  This passage is a little insight into the rules, expectations, and results of this game of life. 

I believe that the Bible is our playbook, God is our coach, and Jesus is the star player ensuring victory.  I also know that I am on the team.  I have done what is necessary to prepare for this game of life and I don’t have to be nervous about losing.  The truth is the victory has already been won.  Christ came and conquered our greatest adversary, and now we play to receive the eternal prize, not just a worldly crown.  1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”! 

If you are not on God’s team, you can join today.  It doesn’t matter what season you are in, start playing on God’s team.  Join a Bible believing church and find the victory that only comes through a relationship with Jesus. It matters how you play, but what matters more is that you play to win, and ultimate victory is found only in Jesus.  

Ty Houghtaling is the Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Artesia.