Such are the trials and travails of being a sports fan. One minute your team sends your spirits soaring. Then that same spirit crashes faster than the Hindenburg.
The Arizona Cardinals did not play very well yesterday. All the usual problems surfaced (porous offensive line, inconsistent quarterback play). Still, the team fought back and when place kicker, Jay Feely, nailed a 61 yard field goal to tie the game, it was amazing. Then the Cardinals got the ball back, worked down the field until Feely reentered the game with 3 seconds left. This time a 32 yard field goal would win the game. This would be easy, right? If Feely could make a 3 pointer from over sixty yards, a kick from half the distance would be a gimme. I boasted, "Feely could probably make the game winner blind folded."
The 61 yard field goal was a thing of beauty, easily clearing the cross bar. The shorter kick was as ugly as the huge pimple that decided to park itself between my eyes the day freshmen class picture were taken all those years ago. Yes, I'm talking UGLY! Even my mother said of that picture, "That doesn't look so good." Neither did Feely's kick. It hooked toward the left upright, hit dead center and ricocheted back onto the field. A few minutes, in overtime, Buffalo got the ball and their kicker didn't miss. Cardinals lose 19-16.
The victory seemed like such a sure thing. And yet, the game reminded me that there are no sure things in life. Promises get broken sometime. Commitments are forgotten. Field goal kickers miss game winners.
And yet, now that I think about it, there is one sure thing. That is Jesus.
Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. That's comforting news. Jesus is consistent. He does not change. He is completely dependable. Promises always kept. Commitments unfailingly carried out.
Not only is Jesus unchangeable, He is also almighty (Matt. 28:18); all-knowing (John 21:17); always present (Matt. 28:20). He kept His commitment to be your Savior (Luke 22:42). He promises to be with and help you in your time of need (Matt. 11:28-30).
It's hard to put complete faith in place kickers. But you can put your trust and hope in Jesus. He has come through for you in the past (John 3:16-17). He will come through for you all the way to the end of your life (Psalm 23:4) and see you through heavenly gates (Psalm 23:7).
God's best to you this week!
