The Game

I have been asked to write something for a group of seventh and eighth grade football players to be included in their pre-game sack lunches before away games. While trying to combine the elements of football my greater purpose is to point each of those young men to Jesus Christ.

There is a big game on the schedule out of town for today,
Let me ask you – with what kind of effort will you play,
Will you play second rate giving less than your absolute best,
Or will you play every down like a warrior and pass this test,
The hits will be hard and your body may weaken and ache,
But will you play through the pain – your will refusing to break,
There is a champion who set the example for all who will listen,
He willed through pain as blood drops on his body glistened,
He had a strength and indomitable will to conquer his foe,
His courage was put on display for all to see and know,
When others would have given in and refused to finish strong,
This warrior endured the battle – quitting would have been wrong,
Now today as you suit up in your gridiron armor of green glory,
When the buzzer sounds - what will be the end of the story,
When helmets crash and bulging muscles of flesh collide,
Who will lose and who will stand in the end on the victor’s side,
In case you have missed it – there is a bigger game called life,
My champion is a Sovereign King – His name is Jesus Christ
How will you play – like the champion He created you to be,
Will you lose heart – throw in the towel and be tempted take a knee,
Jesus offers strength to all who are willing to ask, believe, and submit,
He offers eternal life to those whose sins they are willing to admit,
There is a game today, on a field of glory the battle will be waged,
Play with the heart of Jesus – may champion’s hearts be engaged