Sacrifice

We had a guest speaker come and speak to our football team yesterday about sacrifice and what true love is.  His message was perfect and I'm not sure who got more out of it, me or the kids.  This speaker was a former NFL athlete and who last played for the Cowboys.  He was a seventh round draft pick out of Kansas State.  He talked about addiction, and how it consumed his everyday life.  Even though on the outside he was an all american, team captain, and a leader, deep down he was hiding a darkness and destroying secret.  Addiction so destructive that it almost took his life.  This guy was in the NFL!  How could his life be that bad?  He had it all!  I guess in the end we can never be immune to evil and no one is exempt from it.

    He then talked about love and how, with a gun to his head,  he asked for the love of Christ to come into his life.  You see, the love of the Father is never ending.  He loves us no matter what we do, who we are, His love is unyielding.  He talked about sacrifice and if you really love something, or someone, then you are going to have to make sacrifices.  Whether its football, family, or faith, if you truly love it, then you are going to make sacrifices.  As a husband, father, follower of Christ sacrifices must be made.  You are no longer the focus.  I needed to hear this.  Love it about sacrifice.  We aren't always going to have "fun", we aren't always going to "like" each day, but if you love something, or someone, then you will make the necessary concessions in order to make them happy.

    If you are an athlete, and your truly love your sport, then you will make the sacrifices needed to excel.  Not going out to parties, maintaining proper nutrition, adhering to a strict training regimen, are all sacrifices you will make.  You will sacrifice late nights for early mornings.  You will sacrifice pizza for protein.  Most importantly, you will sacrifice your individuality to become apart of something greater than you.  

    I am thankful for the speaker yesterday and am amazed at how the Lord really does work in mysterious ways.  He knew that I needed to hear that message today.  He knows exactly what we need.  I don't think I have ever written anything before with a religious background or context, but I thought I would share.