Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Fiesta Bowl 2007 - Boise State vs. Oklahoma
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance –2 Thes 3:5

Did you see it? The Fiesta Bowl from the desert of Arizona on New Years Day? I do not hold a degree from BSU but I did attend the little school for two years in the late 70’s. Boise occupies a special place in my heart. It was on the campus of BSU that God placed some godly young men in my life to disciple me. It was on this campus that my spiritual molars were cut.
About the game: Some are saying it could be the greatest game in college football's 138-year history. This game offered fans so many stirring and stunning plot twists. It became a test of utter perseverance. Boise State goes for a two point conversion in overtime by calling a “trick play” (statue of liberty) to win it all. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, viewers were privileged to witness Boise’s star halfback (Ian Johnson) take a knee and propose to his girlfriend on national television. And she said yes! A fitting finish to a hard fought battle. Guy gets girl.
Now I have some thoughts for you. Ian Johnson seems like such a neat young man. So courageous, so gifted as an athlete and he plays with such heart and perseverance. I can’t help but to think of all the coaches that have poured into his life to prepare him for this level of play. And did you know he even knits little BSU beany caps? Ohhhhh, say all the girls.
Watching talented NCAA football players makes me realize the hours, days and years of commitment that go into training such athletes. Most major cities now have strong programs in their middle schools, youth leagues, and even stronger competitive programs at the high school level. These top college athletes are developed and trained in programs that have incredible facilities, great coaches, even mentors that push them, cheer em on and believe in them.
Back to Ian. He epitomizes the Bronco team. Undersized. Underdog. Undeserving, some would say. After all, the little school from Idaho was facing one of the giants of college football in Oklahoma. Bigger school, bigger program, bigger budget, bigger athletes. But at some point in their hearts and minds, Ian and his teammates believed they could win and set out to fight the odds. They came prepared and committed to giving it their best shot. Best of all, they had a game plan and executed that game plan to perfection. (if you missed it, you gotta get a tape of the game)
Do you think anyone has taken Ian by the shoulders to say, “Your’e going to need survival training for this future marriage”? Do you think anyone has told him that that there is an opponent (1 Peter 5:8) that doesn’t want his marriage to win? Do you think anyone has told Ian that commitment at its greatest level is required and that the odds are against him (more than half of marriages fail)? Do you think he or any young man for that matter can begin to win at marriage without a coach, someone to direct and mentor him into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance? It will take that and more to win at marriage and family. Do you think he and his future wife will have a game plan for marriage and execute that plan? Let’s hope he has a spiritual coach, then in the end the couple will have fought the good fight and won the battle. Man keeps woman. And God smiles.

1 comments:

Bret said...

Rob -- I'll send you a link to a Sports Illustrated article about Ian and his wife -- it was a very nice follow-up piece and if I'm recalling correctly, it seemed as though he had his head screwed on straight about the priority of their marriage.

Followers