As I watched what may have been Peyton Manning’s last game Sunday, I
reflected on how he had become the Denver Broncos the last three years. And how
hard it will be to walk away, I almost said pass away, more appropriate for him,
especially when spring camps begin and he isn’t there. He hasn’t said it yet,
but I think his run is over, and it is time to move on. Every athlete knows
when it is time, and I think he knows it is time. He may have lost his last
game, but he is going out a winner. Way beyond stats and records, this guy is a
winner. This morning I got a “final notice” from my high school alumni
association that rates are going up, join now. For over 42 years I haven’t
joined, so why would I now? But then I considered Peyton and his teammates
playing their last game together, and the times he will miss. The two a day
drills, countless hours of tape, and all the time spent with the trainers. But
he will never be able to go back once he has left to the camaraderie of when he
was part of the team. To the teasing, razzing, and joking in the locker room.
To the private conversations with team mates after practice, and special times
he knew off the field, but as part of the team. It made me reflect back to my
junior high school days, where I was a jock. A pretty good jock, I set freshman
records for rebounding, throwing the javelin, and scored the 100th point one
night in a basketball game. Many great memories of being part of the team, and
hours of practice. I spent way too much time in locker rooms and thought that
was all their was to life. I went from football, a co-captain, to basketball,
again a co-captain, to track my freshman year. By-passing baseball, which I
loved to play, but run by a coach I detested. We’ll call him Cheen, he had a
Polish name with too many z’s to pronounce, and led by intimidation. Each year
when baseball season started he would demote us because we had been in
basketball tournaments, we were very good, and we would miss the first week of
practice. And he would remind us all year about it, no incentive or
congratulations for winning, just punishment and abasement for being late. So
when it came time for baseball, I chose track instead, where I became a “sissy
weight man,” instead of a “pussy runner.” I was low on the charts, but part of
the team, and the first meet set a school record for throwing the javelin. And
threw my arm out, never placing again. My only memorable event after that was
throwing a javelin into the foot of a Roman Catholic High School competitor.
And walked away from all sports my sophomore year, motorcycles were my new
passion, sports were out. I had played the game, I had competed and won. Now I
rode for fun, and the fun continues 45 years later. With only sporadic softball
league games in between, which faded away after I got married. I left on top,
hitting many home runs, but had found something better, a better team mate to go
through life with. She was my and is my wife, Theresa, and we have been team
mates now for almost 37 years. But as I look back, I can see Peyton getting
reunited with his family, and them becoming his #1 team. Not that they maybe
haven’t always been, but his life will change, a new season in his life. He can
go on to new things, maybe take up throwing the javelin....who knows.
Our bodies wear out, and to a certain extent so do our minds. But
something deeper inside us, the spirit that God gave us will live forever. No
season endings for us, we will continue in heaven long after the final whistle
or buzzer has blown here on earth. We may not be able to play at an intensity
we once did, but now can look back and encourage others. We can give advice,
guide and encourage, and watch as others live their dreams. We can be a coach,
a pastor, teacher, or just help as needed in the kingdom. Which is already here
on earth, for wherever two or three are gathered Jesus is among us. It just
isn’t heaven yet, but that is coming. For now we are in training, scouting via
evangelism, teaching and relating testimonies to encourage. Studying to find
ourselves approved, not to be saved, but to verify the words we share as true.
We assist in ways that at one time were below us, but that now give us great
pleasure. We are part of a great team, the family of God, and in heaven all the
games will be home games. The cheering crowds will be for God, not for us, and
we will be part of the greatest pep rally ever seen. We have won the
championship, we fought the good fight, and Jesus has rewarded us with heaven.
No matter what I will have always been a Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Raider, no joining an alumni club will take that away. But the ad did get me
thinking of old friends, team mates ,and where they are. How they are doing,
and if they are on God’s team for heaven. But the final notice by line struck
me.
We have no say over when we die, even those who commit suicide do not take
God by surprise. He knew and knows, and some day we will get that final
notice. The spirit will call one final time, then death, separation from earth
and loved ones here. Eternity calls and is waiting, where you spend it is your
choice. Either way you will worship God forever. In heaven joyfully with no
words being able to describe the joy. Or in hell, where every knee will bow,
and tongue confess, but in agony. You were called to join the team, but opted
out. Maybe life was too hard, or you were too busy for Jesus then, he wasn’t
for you. He was patient, but you were stubborn, so you resisted him, and chose
death and hell. And he granted your wish. We will only know when that final
notice was after death, and then it will be too late. Your decision will have
been made, your fate sealed. The gates of hell will keep you in, those in
heaven will never think of leaving. But both seasons will go on
forever....where will you be?
Being part of a church, or part of a team won’t get you into heaven, only
Jesus will. It is a one on one relationship, and although many you know will be
there, many you know also won’t be. Part of the team didn’t get them there, it
takes Jesus. The records here on earth, the victories, and all your team mates
will not gain you entrance to heaven. They may to a Hall of Fame, but the hall
of faith takes Jesus. And without being on his team you don’t make it. Regard
this as a final notice, for no man is promised tomorrow. Stars may go out in a
blaze of glory, they may know when it is their final game, we don’t. Choose
Jesus today, and find life. Find a future and a blessing every day until the
day we die and enter heaven. Winners in sports only last for a season, then
they have to start over. After a bad year that is a good thing, but when
winning it all you still start the next season at .500, no wins or losses. You
may have blown every play in life, but choose life in Christ and win the big
one, the only one that counts. Looking back I had some good times, won some
games, set some records. But looking ahead I see Jesus.....who do you
see?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com