Originally Posted October 4, 2019, this is a great year devotional as we size up the reality of what are fantasy teams are doing…and hopefully reflect on the reality of our spiritual lives. (The bio at the end has been updated)
“You are what your record says you are!”
- Bill Parcels
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10 NIV
Some time ago when Bill Parcells was coaching the Cowboys, fans and media were raving about the talent on the team. They looked like a stacked team, but to our disappointment, they had lost some winnable games. When asked about why this stacked team was losing Bill Parcells stated, “You are what your record says you are.”
What does your life record say about you? Does your life seem stacked, but inside you are asking yourself, “Why am I average? Why am I 8 & 8?”
Our lives are a culmination of past choices. If you didn't draft good players in the fantasy draft, your team, like pastor Ray’s, is below average (Elisha’s Bears currently in 11th sitting at 3-5). Why do we settle for average when God’s gift of Jesus raises the value of even the worst of us to a must-start star?
We all try to be better parents, spouses, providers and people. But where are we right now in our relationships with those closest to us? Are we planting good relationship seeds with our families and co-workers? Are we spending time with God and being real with him? With God’s help, the seeds we plant now will grow into healthier relationships with those around us and a stronger connection to the Creator of the Universe. On the contrary, we can leave God out of it and reap the destruction of our sinful nature. The choices we make are seeds for our future and the future of those we love. Just because we may be 8 & 8 doesn’t mean you have to be average forever because we believe that Jesus plus anyone is a winning combination. Let’s challenge ourselves to intentionally follow Jesus, and plant seeds of the Spirit so we can look back and proudly state “I am who my Father says I am”.
Steve Urbina currently serves as a Deacon at FBC Weslaco. This adventure seeking husband and father surrendered his life to Christ in 2001, came to FBCW in 2002 and started Deconing in 2017. If there was a Commercial Insurance Sale Fantasy Draft, Steve would go in the first round right after Chuck Norris. Steve’s mission: to save the world one insurance policy at a time. Steve’s Uncle Rico’s Revenge fantasy football team just put up a league high 206.64 points and is sitting at 5-3 for the year…much better than average!
