PASTOR BEN’S COMMENTS

As the hearts and minds of Pittsburghers turn to the upcoming football season, here's a little known point to ponder:

Did you know ...

No professional football team that plays its home games in a domed stadium with artificial turf has ever won the Super Bowl.

While a climate controlled stadium protects players (and fans) from the misery of sleet, snow, mud, heat, and wind, players who brave the elements on a regular basis are disciplined to handle hardships wherever they're found. The Green Bay Packers were the 1996 Super Bowl champions, in part, because of the discipline gained from regularly playing in some of the worst weather in the country.

The parallels between football and the Christian life are many and helpful. Here's one for us to consider now. Our Heavenly Father allows and uses the issues and the struggles of our lives here on earth for our good and His glory. Usually, as we endure trials, we have no idea how our God would possibly use the ordeals we face. Graciously, there are wonderful times when we can see the hand of our God and His beautiful purposes effected at later times. We need those glimpses into God's lovely plan to help our faith for painful trials whose purposes confound us. We will know in time or the question won't matter when we're in the joyful presence of our Savior, Jesus. Football players may not know or appreciate the arduous drills they practice, but as they have confidence in their coach, they execute the routines in the pursuit of pleasing the coach and gaining skill and teamwork. Really, the players are thrilled to be on the team!

If football athletes can push through such times of training, so must we. They do it for a corruptible crown of glory, we do it for our God and Savior, Jesus. Every human football coach has plays he would have called differently; not our God. Our heavenly Father is sovereign over all contingencies and possibilities. He works out His plan gloriously in us and through us.

Liz and I stand overwhelmed by the love of our family and family of faith at Wilson church. Throughout our recent trial our church family constantly undergirds us with prayer and various practical helps. Brothers and sisters in Christ at Wilson Christian Academy, as well as throughout the area and our BP denomination, lift us up in prayer and manifest precious care. Our God has lifted us up through you.

The challenge for you and me is to stay constant in the disciplines of the Christian life: to be faithful in service, steady in our devotions, familiar in prayer, and reliable in the duties committed to us. Even in those areas, our Father displays His grace to us and enables us to press on in Jesus' name.