A Game Plan for Life

Have you ever watched a game where the ref made a bad call? Remember December 30, 2023? That football clash between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys? Or how about that baseball game back on June 2, 2010, with the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians? We've all been there, shouting at the TV, "Are you blind?!" But let's take a step back and think – don't we sometimes make similar blunders in our own lives? Maybe it's because, like those referees, we’re not always looking in the right direction.

Now, let's dive into something a bit different but totally related – Colossians chapter 3. This isn't just another inspirational chapter; it's a game-changer, a playbook for life. It’s about getting A Completely New Outlook On Life. Sounds good, right? But how do we do it? Well, the Apostle Paul has some coaching tips for us.

1. LOOK UPWARD: First up, Paul tells us to focus on what's eternal, not just what's in front of us (Colossians 3:1-4). It's like training your eyes to see beyond the immediate play and understanding the whole game. This isn't about ignoring the daily grind but realizing there's more to life than just our everyday hustle.
2. LOOK INWARD: Next, Paul encourages us to focus on our spiritual growth over physical or material gains (Colossians 3:5-17). It's like being in a team huddle every day, asking ourselves, "Am I playing fair? Am I staying true to who I am?" It’s about personal integrity, growing stronger in character, and not just in our bank accounts or social status.
3. LOOK OUTWARD: Finally, Paul points us towards focusing on our relationships more than our positions or titles (Colossians 3:18-4:1). It's like passing the ball rather than going for a solo glory shot. Life’s a team sport, and how we treat others – family, friends, coworkers – really matters.

So, what’s the takeaway? Life, like sports, will have its share of bad calls. But if we start looking in the right places – upward, inward, and outward – we might just make fewer mistakes and win big where it counts.

Let’s take Paul’s advice and rethink our game plan. After all, life’s the biggest game we’ll ever play! 🌟🏈🙏

- Adapted from Jeff Totten's sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 01/14/24.