Saturday, February 2, 2008

Super Bowl Weekend!


You know what’s on people’s minds this weekend, right? The Super Bowl! I have to confess, though, that I don’t really care about who wins because none of my teams made it (Titans, Saints, Packers, Cowboys). But if I have to choose one or the other, I’ll choose the Giants because I like those Manning boys.

But regardless of what you think about the New England Patriots, you have to concede that their quarterback Tom Brady is outstanding. During the 2007-2008 NFL regular season, Tom Brady set the record for most touchdown passes in a regular season, paving the way for his winning the MVP award. At the age of 30, he has already won three Super Bowls—an accomplishment that sets him apart as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. His many records and accomplishments are too numerous to list here. He’s reached the dream (several times, I might add) that millions of little boys (and a lot of big ones, too) have as they’re growing up…playing NFL football…making it to the Super Bowl…WINNING the Super Bowl. All of this for Tom Brady by the time he’s 30 years old.

In 2005, however, Brady was interviewed by 60 Minutes journalist Steve Kroft. Despite the fame and career accomplishments he had achieved already, Brady told Kroft that it felt like something was still lacking in his life:

“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what [it's all about].’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me? I think, ‘It's got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn't—this can't be—all it's cracked up to be.”

Kroft pressed Brady as to what the right answer was, and Brady added:

“What's the answer? I wish I knew… I love playing football, and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find.”

By Tom Brady’s own words, he’s still searching…even after reaching the mountaintop of football! You want to know why? Because there’s a hole in each of our hearts…a God-shaped hole in each of our hearts that only He can fill. And no amount of money…or fame…or Super Bowl rings can fill that void.

I’ve heard all my life that you can’t put a square peg in a round hole. That’s not exactly true. You can put a square peg in a round hole…if the hole is big enough and the peg is small enough. But you have a whole lot of space left over.

I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in John 10:10—“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Jesus gives not only life in quantity (eternal life), but the life He gives to those who trust Him is quality. Another translation of that verse puts it this way: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (New Living Translation). I like that…“a rich and satisfying life.” That’s what I have in Christ, and that’s what Tom Brady can have, too.

Perhaps God will cause Tom Brady’s path to cross with Christians from the Patriots organization or from the Giants organization with whom he can connect and from whom he can hear about Christ. I’ll pray toward that end…

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very relevant post. . .

I even read it to my husband; and, maybe, he'll remember to retell the story,especially, to his super bowl buddies!