THE DRAFT IS ONLY EXCITING BECAUSE OF THE GAME

First, I have had no time to blog due to real life time-consumers like preparing and trying a major personal injury case in a 3.5 week jury trial, and trying to keep up on seminary classes. My wife and kids and parents and inlaws and extended family and friends have all been very patient with me and I am very grateful.

Second, with the trial over and seminary wrapping up for the semester, I had a little time to watch the NFL draft. Today, I came across a column from ESPN columnist Rick Reilly. He said some accurate things about the NFL draft that I found equally applicable to the Christian life - and life in general. The quote:

"If the draft really is worth all the hype and hair and, this year, red carpets (oy!), we should at least have a little follow-through. Here's my simple proposal: On the sleeve of every jersey, instead of the player's number, put the player's draft order number. For instance, Tom Brady would wear 199. Roger Staubach would've worn 129. Joe Montana: 82.

And then you could look over at the bench and see all the 1s and 7s and 13s, doing nothing except hogging the heater space.

The NFL draft comes off as though the story ends after the last pick, as though the movie ends the moment Dorothy's house lands on the witch; put on your coat, the movie is over, THE END.

What it really is, of course, is THE START."

Do you see the parallel? Everyone in life is looking at the outside appearances. Everyone is convinced that our bank account $ amount and net worth are the most important numbers. In my profession, the question is how many trials have you won and how much money have you made. In other professions, success is similarly measured. Everyone is looking at the outside and acting like this is what counts. Where were we in the draft? What is our number?

As we know from Scripture, however, God looks at the inside - the heart, the character, the holiness, the forgiven and righteous status of people who have accepted the atonement of Jesus Christ. There is going to come a day when we all stand at the judgment seat and the money and success and rankings and draft status will be meaningless. The draft is not the game. The game counts, not the draft. While we need to be drafted, we need to play well, not just be drafted. For the follower of Christ, everything in this life is preparation for eternity.

If you know Jesus Christ, you have been drafted. It doesn't matter when you were drafted, just that you were drafted. You are on the team. What is your position? What are you doing to improve? What are you doing to bless the head of the team? What are you doing to build up other players? What are you doing to make sure that the team blesses its city? Are you just sitting the bench, thrilled to have been drafted, but no one even knows you are on the team?

As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot judge ourselves by the same fleeting measures of success and achievement as everyone else. If success and achievement come, great, may God be glorified. Life and eternity, however, involve much deeper, more permanent issues, like: What will we say when we are in the presence of the only uncreated reality - Almighty God Himself? Will we rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that we have an incredible hope and future, or will we quiver in naked shame, knowing that our eternity is permanently lost? Will we be thrilled that we worked hard and played well on the team or will be embarrassed that we spent most of our time on the bench?

This life is about getting ready for forever. This week I have been contemplating job opportunities that would give me security and reliable income, but would probably move me too far away from active ministry. I have been wrestling with whether to take the security behind curtain no. 1, or to opt for the insecure appearing and raggedly looking future behind curtain no. 2. I want to make choices that honor God, that work for eternity and that follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I know that my God is faithful, even when I feel like I am way back and unnoticed in the draft. We are on an amazing team, serving an amazing Boss, Who has equipped us to develop the heart and character and determination of a champion. It is up to us whether we will opt for the short-term glitz or the long-term glory. May you compete and finish well. HE is worth it!