Look at the Scoreboard…A Football Allegory

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have

trouble or calamity,
or are persecuted,
or hungry,
or destitute,
or in danger,
or threatened with death?
(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

No, despite all these things,

overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

(Romans 8:35-37 NLT)

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Tackled by life? Look at the Scoreboard.

Fatigued by struggle? Look at the Scoreboard.

Dropped the pass? Look at the Scoreboard.

Fumbled the ball? Look at the Scoreboard.

Personally fouled by opponents? Look at the Scoreboard.

Taunted by enemies? Look at the Scoreboard.

Ridiculed by spectators? Look at the Scoreboard.

Overlooked by announcers? Look at the Scoreboard.

Second-guessed by bloggers? Look at the Scoreboard.

Benched by a coach? Look at the Scoreboard.

Slack off in practice? Look at the Scoreboard.

Let down by teammates? Look at the Scoreboard.

Empty stadium? Look at the Scoreboard.

Blocked from the play? Look at the Scoreboard.

Blindsided? Look at the Scoreboard.

Forgot the play called? Look at the Scoreboard.

Not on SportsCenter? Look at the Scoreboard.

No contract extension? Look at the Scoreboard.

Uninvited to the Pro Bowl? Look at the Scoreboard.

Forgotten off the field? Look at the Scoreboard.

Run the wrong way? Look at the Scoreboard.

Skills declining? Look at the Scoreboard.

Missed your assignment? Look at the Scoreboard.

No stats in the box score? Look at the Scoreboard.

Helmet knocked off? Look at the Scoreboard.

Concussion? Look at the Scoreboard.

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Whatever trial you face in the football game of life of loving/following Jesus,

please remember to keep your eyes on the Scoreboard:

He has already won the victory over sin and death by

-becoming fully human while remaining fully God
-facing every temptation we face and remaining sinless
-dying the death He didn’t deserve for us who did deserve it
-returning back to life three days later

For those of us who have received Jesus as our Savior through faith,

the Scoreboard reminds us that He has already won the victory
for Himself and all those who have accepted His invitation to be on His team!

All we are waiting for now is the clock to tick down…the Trophy to be raised…and the celebration to begin forever.

Let’s get back in the huddle…and then back onto the field loving God and all others with our words and actions!

All for Jesus…