A Game Without A Goal


A GAME WITHOUT A GOAL

            65,000 fans flooded the stadium.  The teams rushed onto the field through a funnel of cheerleaders, to the accompaniment of drum lines and enthusiastic screams.  Referees executed the coin toss perfectly and the kickoff ensued.  After sixty minutes of bone-crushing tackles, heart-stopping interceptions, and offensive maneuvers which set both passing and rushing records, the game ended in a scoreless tie.
            Two dominant defenses?  Not at all.
            The field lacked goalposts.  No endzones.  No way to score.
            Devotional Christianity often results in the same outcome.  Sixty minutes of joyful worship, heart-stopping illustrations and perfectly executed sermons come to nothing when the service is over.  Exciting and emotional periods of personal adventure in the Word of God fail to translate into goals—the transformation of life which God intended His Word to produce.
            Soccer without a net.
            Chess without checkmate.
            Basketball without a basket.
            Without a goal, devotional Christianity settles for being too easily satisfied.  We substitute participation statistics for endgame accomplishments. Trophies line spiritual shelves. 
            “Reading the Bible through in a year” Trophy.
            “Perfect Attendance” Trophy.
            “Twelve Months of Personal Devotions” Trophy.
            “Never Miss a Bible Conference” Trophy. 
            Where it the goalpost? 
            Dare to Walk on Water seeks to answer that question.  Devotional Christianity must not be so easily satisfied.  Bible study must have a goal.  Our diligent effort on the field of life should result in treasuring God.  Forward progess should drive through the red zone toward a transformed life.  Reception of the Word from spiritual quarterbacks should translate into successful service for God by serving others.  Devotional Christianity should be kicked through the goalposts and become creative Christianity.
           

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