The poetic chaos of life

I recently had the chance to sit in "The Big House" with some friends of mine and watch my favorite Michigan Wolverines play and beat Illinois.  While I was sitting in the stands, it struck me just how poetic football was.  Before each play both teams stand in position ready and waiting for the ball to move.  They are focussed.  They are intent.  They each have a unique goal in mind.  They have a purpose, a mission and they are ready.  Then, at the flick of the wrist of the center, seeming chaos ensues as each player recognizes that there is someone whose sole goal it is to oppose the purpose that they have.  Each defensive lineman whose goal is to get the quarterback or prevent the run or containment, each one is opposed by the offensive line whose goal is to protect, or push.  Each play is like a miniature drama unfolding with either glory or tragedy awaiting the players.

It really is a beautiful thing to watch.  The dramas unfold and there is a  final determination of who is victorious.  And yet, all of it would be so much different without the coaching staff.  From the booth there are people watching, in the background there are stats keepers, there are offensive coordinators, defensive coordinators and the assistant coaches.  But all of them ultimately are led by one man- the head coach.  Without the coach, the chaos would be just chaos.  Imagine if at the movement of the ball 2 of the 4 defensive linemen decided they wanted to be cornerbacks and just ran after the wide receivers.  Or the running back decided he wanted to catch a pass instead of run the ball.  Or even better one of the offensive linemen turns around and tries to take the hand-off and then throw a long bomb to the wide-receiver who decided he wanted to sit this play out.

Chaos.  All held at bay by one man.

When I think about my life sometimes it seems like a football game.  And, when I go my own way and do my own thing, it seems a lot like the chaos I just described.  But, when I am willing to give my life into the hands of someone bigger and smarter than I, someone who can see the whole game better and knows exactly what I need to do.   If I give my life to God, then there is some purpose and mission that I understand.  In an incredible way, becoming a Christian simplifies life as I no longer have to worry about the world around me and the responsibilities of everyone else, I simply have to focus on my purpose - my mission, the goal that God has given me here on earth to bring glory to His name by using the gifts and abilities He has given me.  And in a wonderful plan that He has put together, while there may be temporary pain and sorrow, the end result of me serving Him in this way is inexplicable joy for eternity.  What a blessing!  Praise be to our great God.