Football (and Life) Requires Discipline

My favorite football story is told by James Dobson. In the 1930’s, Dr. Dobson’s mother attended a high school in Oklahoma that fielded a terrible Football Team. The small town witnessed their team lose almost every game, including the contests with their arch rivals. Understandably, school spirit was low.

A FREE CAR!

Following another demoralizing loss, a wealthy oil-man asked to speak to the team. In the locker room, he reminded the boys that their next game was against their hated rivals. Dramatically, the oil producer gave an incredible challenge. If they won, he promised each member of the team and their coaches a brand new car.

FOOTBALL FEVER

The team went crazy. Players reported to practice earlier and stayed later. The intensity was seen in the exercise drills. The days before the game, the entire school and town was electrified by the anticipation of a victory.

Finally, on game night the stands were packed and the football players gathered in the locker room. The coach barked a pep-talk that had the players almost jumping out of their skins. Next, the team left the locker room and gathered on the sideline. Before taking the field, the team put their hands together and shouted “Rah!” Then, they ran onto the field and were defeated, 38 to 0.

EMOTION VS. DISCIPLINE

Dobson wrote, “The team's exuberance did not translate into a single point on the scoreboard. Seven days of hoorah and whoop-de-do simply couldn't compensate for the players' lack of discipline and conditioning and practice and study and coaching and drill and experience and character.”

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

In II Peter 1:5-7, the Bible says, “…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” Emotional experiences cannot replace spiritual growth that results from a daily walk with God. Daily discipline is required to nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.