Game Day

~Game Day

The much awaited game is finally here.  All the victories and defeats during the season all culminate into one final game to determine who shall be crowned in glory. 

Opening kick is high and caught. The game has begun in earnest.  The players of the opposing sides use different tactics and strategies, both trying to gain advantage.  Possession passes from side to side.  Players have conditioned themselves to the point of perfection just to play in this singular event.  Some have dreamed a lifetime for such an opportunity.  Dreams and expectations all culminate in one final game of the season. 

The game is fierce and brutal, both sides taking casualties.  There are rules that both sides must abide in order to play.  As they break the rules the penalties may grant the opposing side the advantage.  Players in the heat of the game make mistakes and earn a penalty that affects their whole team.  Coaches on both sides have spent their lives trying to teach, instruct and train their players to be the best for this singular event.  Careless mistakes caused by players are not gone unnoticed by the referees.  Frustration mounts on both sides, by players and coaches alike.

Players that have listened well and studied the game, react instinctively to the situations as they arise.  Those same players practiced and honed their bodies to be able to endure the rigors that would be expected of them.  Even with the most stringent training, there are those that make mistakes and become injured.  Some injuries are severe enough to have them removed from the game.  Some will never play again.

When the time has run its course there can be only one winning team.  It required a coordinated effort from all the team members to gain a victory.  It goes to the team that had more heart, was better coached, and took their training seriously.  They made minimal mistakes.  They are crowned with glory and celebrate a victory that was justly earned.  To the victor go the spoils.  The defeated team gains nothing other than the knowledge that they have lost the battle. 

Is that not the reason why we are here in the Super Bowl of mortality?  We chose our teams in the pre-existence.  We hone ourselves to be able to resist and endure the rigors we will face in this game called life.  We have life coaches that teach, implore and instruct us in the rules of the game and how to train ourselves to endure.  Despite all the training there will be those that don’t take their training seriously enough.  Some will make careless mistakes that will cause serious injury in their ability to finish the game. 

The game is a rough contest of wills.  Those that lose their heart will lose the game.  For those that desire the ultimate trophy, training in the off season is not only necessary it is crucial.  To be able to react to any situation in the correct way must be instinctive.  Seek out the best coaches and study the playbook of eternal salvation.  Never give in to the opposing side, put your head down and dig and drive for the end zone.  Scoring points will take you one step closer to the final victory.  Always keep your eye on the goal.  Defeat or Victory is a matter of choice in how you train and perform in the game of Life.

~Leland Vance