I am reminded of a scene in a football movie. In the scene, the coach is explaining to the players that their attitude makes the difference, not just in the game of football, but also in life. One of the key players was making the comment that the other team was bigger, stronger and better than his team. In essence, he was already quitting and admitting defeat before the game even began. The coach challenges the player to give his best, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of what is seen in front of him. The coach challenges him to do the death crawl.
The death crawl is where one person crawls on their hands and feet while another person holds on balancing back to back on the individual crawling. The death crawl is typically done in 15 to 20 yard segments due to the strength and endurances it requires. The coach challenges him to do the death crawl and give his best. Do the death crawl with a blind fold on, not looking at distance, the field, how far he had to go or the distance he has gone. The thought is that by looking at our circumstance, we may give up early even though we may still have the strength, determination and endurance to go a little farther.
As the football player started the death crawl, he was just concentrating on making it to the 20 yard line. The coach kept encouraging him, driving him to push a little harder. “Don’t give up on me, go a little farther, don’t quit until you have nothing left,” the coach shouted. All the time the player was asking, “Have I made it to the 20?” The coach kept encouraging him to dig deeper, don’t give up, a few more steps, keep driving. All this was happening while the rest of the football team was watching in amazement. The player kept pushing and complaining of a lack of strength to go on.
Finally, the player drops, crying out, “I have nothing left, I can’t go on!” He asked, “Have I made it to the 50?” The coach pulls off the blindfold and tells him he is in the end-zone, that he carried a 160 pound man on his back for 100 yards. This player was the most influential person on the team, and if he gives up, the whole team gives up. The coach asked him to step up and be the leader that God called him to be, to lead his team to the goal and do his best.
We, as men have been called by God to be the head, the leader of our homes, to lead our families in the way of the Lord. As husbands and fathers, God has given us the most influential position in our homes.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
What we say, what we do will determine the outcome of our family. If you’re a husband, a father, you have been given a sacred role by God to fill. It is not easy, and so much responsibility rests on our shoulders.
The circumstances of this life hit us hard. We have decisions to make, a family to provide for. We have temptations, but our wives and our children are looking at us to lead, to set the example. What we say in our home, what we speak over our own life, wife, and children makes a difference. How do you see your role?
Yes, as men we have made mistakes, made bad decisions, and set bad examples. This is not the time to look at the circumstances, how far you have gone, or how much of the field is in front of you. This is the time to make the difference in your life, by placing Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of your life. Invite Him to be the cornerstone of your marriage and family. Step into the God-ordained role that you have been given. Make changes in your life today, surrender your will to God, start speaking life into your daily walk, over your wife, your children, marriage and family.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7b (NKJV)
If you have thought that this road is too hard, the obstacles too big, or that the mountain of circumstances are too much, you have quit before you even begin. How can you lead, when you give up?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
You have been given a God-ordained role, you have been given a promise that God will be with you, that there is hope for you and your family. Now step into your role, seek God first, speak life (good things), give your wife and children your best and allow God to work in and through you.
Standing in Faith and on the Word of God that our Marriage is healed!
David in Texas
