Be like Barry and Skip the Dance
Theme: Be like Barry and Skip the Dance
Verse: Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)
It’s Super Bowl week, so we have to talk about football. Ironically, we are going to profile a person who played for a team that has never made it to the Big Game.
Those of you who are old enough might remember one of the all-time great NFL running backs, Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions. He stands at #4 on the list of career rushing yards in the NFL and he did it in only ten seasons.
But to me what stands out about him is not the prolific stats, but how he conducted himself on the field. He scored 109 touchdowns in his illustrious, but all too short, career. And do you know what he did after each one of them?
He found the nearest official and without any fanfare, flipped or handed the ball to him.
Are you kidding me? No dance in the end zone? No chest bump with his teammates? No “discussion” with an opposing player?
Nope. He simply went to the Detroit sideline and waited for the next offensive series so he and the Lions could try again.
How do we act on our playing field? Do we spend time “over-celebrating” our victories? Or do we keep everything in focus, reflecting on how fortunate we are that God has given of the talent and opportunity to be in position to do whatever it is we do and, in that moment, have done it well?
Our God gives us the ability to succeed AND to fail. But He does not want us to put too much value on either of those extremes. God put you on this earth and gave you whatever platform you have as a way to impact others. How you react to success and failure goes a long way in determining what that impact will be. Your demeanor in those moments speaks volumes about your attitude and who is in control of your life.
So, the next time you reach the “end zone” during your life’s journey (fixing a plumbing problem in record time, knocking a presentation out of the park, acing a test, or achieving a Personal Record (PR) in a running/biking/swimming race), remember Barry Sanders. Just metaphorically flip the football to the official and get ready for the next play.
Have a SUPER (Bowl) week!
Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Doole