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10 Minutes Peace
by Susan McGrath
Many of you may be caught up in the frenzy of the football season right now. I, though I have made the attempt, have not developed into a football fanatic. I have been caught up in some of the football dramas, however. I love the movie Remember the Titans, and the TV series Friday Night Lights caught my attention with a preview including the phrase "Clear eyes, full hearts - can't lose!"
I'm no expert to judge whether this philosophy is true in football but I believe that it does apply to out lives as Christ followers. We find several instances in the bible where the blind were healed or given clear vision. In Saul's case (before he became known as Paul) he was blinded so that he could see clearly. A bit ironic, but it sure got his attention!
In Luke 24 when two men encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus they don't recognize him. As he eats with them scripture tells us "Then their eyes were opened . . ." This is more than just recognition of Jesus, it is realization of who he is - the Son of God. They finally saw clearly not just with their eyes but with their hearts. In Ephesians 1:18 Paul prays "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance."
How about that full heart? Throughout scripture we read of full hearts - full of commitment, devotion, wisdom, faith, purity, unity, trust, God's word, joy, evil, deceit, good, anguish, music, sincerity, desire, secrets, foolishness, gratitude, peace of Christ, laws. What should our hearts be full of? In Psalm 51:10 David pleads, "Create in me a pure heart, O, God and renew a right spirit in me."
As I stated, I am certainly no expert when it comes to football, but I believe part of that "clear eyes, full heart" philosophy must include good defense and the ability to get the ball across the goal line in order to fulfill the "can't lose" part of the statement.
In our walk with Christ we may have enlightened eyes and a heart for the Lord (full of purity and love) yet we still must act on those principles by living with love for others and sharing, by example, our hope in the Lord. We know Christ has already won the victory and if we play on His team we "can't lose". Our job is to draft as many players onto the field as possible.
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a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;
living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;
completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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