THE FULL EFFECT OF LIFE  

 

    Urban Meyer, head football coach at (The) Ohio State University, won the third national championship of his career last week in Texas. As UGA fans know, he won two of those at Florida when his teams thrashed the 'Dogs regularly (five wins in six years). After those championships in Florida, however, Coach Meyer succumbed to the pressures of his job, had some health problems, and ultimately retired. After some time off, he accepted the position in Ohio three years ago.

    So he's right back where he was, right? There's another championship but the pressure is on to do it again and to get out and recruit the players who will help him do it. It has been pointed out that Coach Meyer even skipped the post-game celebrations of the earlier championships, choosing instead to work on his "to do" list, and to begin work on the next season and the recruiting trail. But now word comes that Coach Meyer has learned his lesson. He is, indeed, right back where he was but apparently he intends to proceed differently this time around.

    In a post-game interview, he said last week, "This is something I learned on my journey. I'm going to enjoy this thing and I want (my players) to enjoy it, too. This is very special."

    In the popular vernacular, perhaps Coach Meyer has learned to "stop and smell the roses." As the New Testament writer of James put it, perhaps he "has let endurance have its full effect." What we know is that he has learned to savor a moment, to enjoy a victory, and to let those around him enjoy that same moment.

    And herein is the lesson for the day. There are moments in life to be celebrated and enjoyed and we cheat ourselves and deny the creative goodness of God, I believe, when we don't celebrate them. Historian Will Durant once watched a young man get out of his car at a bus station early one morning. The young man kissed his wife and young child, seemed sincerely to love them, and went to catch the bus. Durant observed that even these simply little moments in life are fraught with meaning for those who truly experience and cherish them.

    I don't know everything about your life, but I guarantee you that there will be an opportunity for you to experience life at a significant depth this week. There is a person or a moment that will fill your heart and bring again to your mind that we worship a bountiful God who has sprinkled our lives with marvelous opportunities to live them fully and meaningfully. Watch for one of those opportunities.

    And I'll see you this Sunday.

 

 

  

 

Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance. It's almost time for one of the most beloved children's events!  Girls ages 3 years old to 5th grade, and a special man in her life, enjoy dancing, music from a DJ, candy bar, and appetizers.  New this year...a photo booth!  Online ticket purchasing will be available soon.  The event is Friday, February 6 from 6-8 p.m. in the Family Life Hall.  

 

Church Family Supper is served in the Family Life Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

 

January 21

Beef tips or grilled tilapia, white rice, carrots, navy beans, salad bar, rolls and dessert
Kids- Hot dog, tater rounds, peaches, and dessert 

 

  

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