The Ultimate Team

March 25, 2008

By Dorothy Rugg

I have loved watching NFL football ever since I was a little girl watching the Buffalo Bills with my dad. At first, I watched so I could spend some time with my dad. It was something he really enjoyed, and so I liked all the teams he liked and would imitate him as he watched the game.

Over the years, Super Bowl Sunday was a great time to get together. We enjoyed all our favorite snacks, pizza and soda. It was great. Everyone would cheer for the team they wanted to win.

As I came to understand the game better, I picked a few more teams as my favorite and became an armchair quarterback. Watching football is a pleasant commitment I keep somewhat regularly. I put on my favorite team shirt, sit in front of the screen and cheer my team to victory.

In life I have committed myself to Christ. And that is not just a hobby or temporary commitment. I am committed to living every detail of my life for His glory and His honor. Within that foundational commitment I am committed to being a wife, mom, Nana, daughter, friend and pastor’s wife. I want to be a vessel God can use to bless the people He brings into my life.

In order to fulfill that commitment I must learn from God’s Word, spend time in prayer and communion with God, grow in my faith, seek for and listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, and forsake the things that would draw me away from Christ.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2, KJV).

No doubt about it, each year I enjoy my share of football games. I can’t wait until fall. But football is just a game for me. My life is the real thing — I want people to know I live for Christ, that I give myself to Christ to be His and that I need the help of the Holy Spirit to be all that God wants of me.

In the “game of life” be sure you are on the winning team with Christ. Ask Christ into your heart, then give it all you’ve got. Start reading the Word, praying, applying Scriptures to your life, getting involved in ministry within your church, being a “team player” so that others may come to learn about Christ through your life.

— James and Dorothy Rugg pastor Mill City AG in Dalton, Pa.