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“The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.”
_Bill Shankly, Scottish “football” (soccer) player and coach
Bill Shankly is not a name that you may be familiar with, but in his day, Coach Shankly would have been on par with Vince Lombardi or any other Hall of Fame U.S. coach in the world of soccer in Great Britain.
The following quotes give a hint of why and how he achieved greatness as a coach:
- “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.” _Bill Shankly
- “I have devoted all my life to football; everything has been thrown overboard for it.” _Bill Shankly
Now I’m not here to argue whether or not football (whichever side of the pond you’re on) is worth that kind of commitment.
What I do want to ask, “Is there anything…anything at all...that you’re that passionate about?”
Is there a driving passion in your life?
Is there a slow burn in your soul that burns and burns and burns – calling you to sacrifice and significance?
Our Christian faith never requires us to check our brains at the door, but what we remember most about our Founder and Lord is His Passion.
Yes, He knew the rules (and gave some) but what he was passionate about was the game.
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
John 12:46
The ONE THING for today: I am absolutely convinced that everyone was created for a special one-of-kind purpose that is full of significance and fulfillment. The problem is life has a way of grinding us down, reducing us to rule-keepers who stay in our lane.
Today is a wake-up call! It’s time to start chucking stuff overboard. All those small, bland, and boring substitutes that you’ve settled for that have numbed you to the high calling on your life need to go.
Passion.
Stir up up.
Time to get going.
Time to do something that really matters.
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Luke 9:23
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