[418 words]
The date was November 12, 2005. The event was a football game between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers. The teams were playing their game in Chicago. It is important to note that Chicago is called “the windy city” for a reason.
The teams had played almost one full quarter. The score was 0-0. The bears line up to kick a field goal. But what happens next is so amazing, that I know that you just had to see it to believe it.
The ball is up. It is heading straight for the uprights. Then a huge gust of wind blows the ball off to the right. It almost blew it out of the stadium.
The kicker did what he was supposed to do. He applied the appropriate amount of well-aimed force to the ball. The ball was on the correct path; then, out of nowhere another force pushed the ball off track. And the kick was no good.
As I saw that kick, back several years ago, it occurred to me that a Christian’s life can be like that. We give our hearts to Jesus. We are baptized into Christ. We pledge to live our lives following God’s commands. God’s Word is the number one force in our lives. And that force is propelling us toward a magnificent goal: to have joy here and in the hereafter.
Job was a good man who, by all accounts, was someone who loved God and family (Job 1:1, 5). He was doing everything right. But, then, he lost everything—his savings, his family and his health. He did nothing wrong but everything turned against him (Job 1:13-2:13).
Despite those who preach the “gospel of wealth,” things don’t always go right for the righteous. That’s why the Bible talks so much about suffering (James 1:2–4). In the end, Job refused to curse God and die. Instead, he maintained his faith. He had lots of questions but his faith did not waver. And, for this, God rewarded him (Job 42:12-17).
When we meet with all the obstacles that stand between us the God’s glorious goal, we need to keep our faith in Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). He will give us the strength we need to overcome the obstacles in our Christian lives.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalms 28:7).
Larry Fitzgerald
Northwest church of Christ
Abilene, TX