Live Like a Rookie

Theme: Live Like a Rookie

Quote (for my sister, Beth, who loves this guy): Rookies put their head down, work hard, stay positive, live fearlessly, and are naïve enough to be successful. Let the rookie mind-set fuel your optimism and passion. (Jon Gordon)

Do you remember the rush you had when accomplished something that previously seemed unattainable? Maybe you made the varsity team in high school, were selected to have a role in a play, or sing in a select choir with a famous symphony director. If you remember one of your “moments,” you probably experienced what many professional athletes refer to as the “Rookie Rush.”

The “Rookie Rush” is the experience of getting the “chance of a lifetime” and is characterized by:

Passion: Rookies are fueled by love of the game

Belief: Rookies believe in the impossible

Humility: Rookies have a lot to learn from veterans

Gratitude: Rookies know that nothing can be taken for granted

Intensity: Rookies are willing to do whatever it takes to make it.

The movie “Brian’s Song” depicts running back Brian Piccolo’s journey in the NFL alongside HOF running back Gayle Sayers. If you have not seen it, it is worth finding and watching. Piccolo demonstrated all five characteristics of the “Rookie Rush” throughout his all too short career. My favorite movie scene was when as a rookie, Piccolo is asked to stand up in a team meeting and sing the fight song from his college alma mater, Wake Forest. Even in this activity, he demonstrated the passion of a rookie singing with great gusto only to sit down to a plate full of mashed potatoes (placed in his chair by his eventual best friend, Sayers) as his “reward.”

We all have the ultimate “chance of a lifetime” when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The challenge is to live as if we were rookies and meet that relationship with rookie level Passion, Belief, Humility, Gratitude, and Intensity.

Have a great week, ROOKIE!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page