It’s more than a little exhilarating to have a personal connection with a player in the NFL. Sunday night Eileen and I were glued to the screen as we watched the Bills defeat the Dolphins in what became the fifth straight win for Buffalo. We enjoyed a little interactive Facebook fun with Jimmy, Bunny, and Kim, who were there in South Florida cheering on their grandson and nephew, Dawson Knox.
And it got even better. Though the Bills were behind when it started, the game’s fourth quarter featured two touchdowns for Buffalo. The first was a 96-yard punt return. And the second – the winning touchdown – was scored by Dawson himself! We could only imagine the celebration that was erupting among our friends in Miami.
As a non-athlete for all intents and purposes, I stay in a starstruck mode of “perpetually impressed” by accomplished athletes like Dawson – men and women who have the perseverance to achieve on the field (or the court, or the ice, or wherever) what most of us can only dream about.
At the same time, no matter the sport that I’m watching, a kind voice keeps whispering in the ear of my soul: “You have your own race to run, Charles, so run well.” Ah, yes! Paul made that clear (2 Timothy 4:7-8). For all of us who follow Jesus, that same clear aim that was the apostle’s should be the finish line which we desire most: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
So how do you and I run in the direction of the only finish line that really matters? Well, quite frankly, I think that we should take a few lessons from Mr. Knox. I’m not referring to the Protestant Reformer whom I’ve quoted many times, but to Dawson – though I believe that John would agree wholeheartedly. In October of 2022, in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dawson scored another winning touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium (you may have seen the photo of Dawson pointing toward the sky). In a post-game interview, here’s what Knox had to say: “Never a doubt. This is how we play, man. You’ve got to take it one play at a time and execute that play. When we do that, it’s hard to beat us.”
Wow! That’s some good stuff if you ask me. Even after the recent and painful loss of his beloved little brother, Luke, Dawson was able to draw upon his strength in Christ and share with the whole world some of life’s most valuable lessons …
1. We ought to keep the faith. Like Dawson, who’s weathered more than his share of injuries, you and I will face our own series of setbacks. Some of those disappointments will be physical, and the others will be of various and sundry stripes, but the Bible urges us to keep our eyes on the ball – and on the prize. Our walk with Christ is not a spectator sport, and sooner or later it will test every fiber of who we are. I’ll share with you Coach Sean McDermott’s assessment of Dawson: “He’s been through it. He’s stuck with it, stuck with it, been resilient, and then he’s been banged up a little bit … My hat goes off to him.”
2. We ought to keep the focus on the steps of wisdom and obedience which we know are ours for today. Life includes its share of pain for every pilgrim. And sometimes we’re weary pilgrims. And sometimes our weariness seems to cloud our vision for tomorrow. But, in this moment, God will give us what we need. You and I may not receive a long-term plan with all of the details which we might desire, but we will find in Christ the needed strength for today. We can take our next step, however small it may seem, with confidence in our faithful Shepherd and King.
3. We ought to give our best to the responsibilities, and the opportunities, which have been put before us. For most of us, these will not include a professional sports career. But that’s O.K., and our individualized vocations play out according to God’s perfect design and plan. Our job is simply to run well, and to finish well. As R.C. Sproul used to say, “Right now counts forever.” And I’ll quote Mr. Knox just one more time: “A win is a win. We treat every game every week like it’s the biggest game.”
I’m so humbled by the fact that God has blessed me with so many positive examples of faith and fortitude. I find them in the Scriptures, and I find them on the football field. Thank you, Dawson. May we who are the blessed recipients of such spiritual encouragement find the grace and the grit that we need to go the distance for the One who is the Hero of all heroes.
And, friend, may you never forget: You have your own race to run, so run well!
Pastor Charles
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