I played High School football. Yes, I did.
It was kind of an odd thing for a choir boy. I sang in the school chorus, acted in school plays, and even sang in the Chamber Singers. Yep. I was a glittery-cummerbund-donning, ruffly-shirt-wearing Chamber Singer.
Nonetheless, I also loved sports. I loved watching sports. I loved playing unorganized, pickup games with my friends – baseball, hockey, football, and boxing. Mom doesn’t know about the boxing part. I played church softball and even ran track and field in Junior High and High School.
But, for some reason, untalented as I really was athletically, I decided to try out for football and somehow made the team. I was a proud Westland John Glenn Rocket. Unfortunately, I had no clue what I was doing.
I didn’t even know what position I wanted play. Somehow, I believe accidentally, I ended up practicing with the offensive linemen, so I ended up becoming one of those. Later, when I started getting the hang of things, I would also join the ranks of the defensive line (which I loved).
I’ll have to say it was pretty tough, physically. There were plenty of days, especially during two-a-days (two practices per day in the heat of muggy Michigan summers in a dry, dusty field) that I was ready to give up. If it wasn’t for my coaches, I probably would have walked away. They instilled a toughness in me that wasn’t there before.
From day-one our coaches preached, “Never give up.” That has always stuck with me. It’s been engrained in my DNA and has become a part of who I am. It became my battle cry when facing every giant on the other side the line of scrimmage. As a side note, believe it or not, I did get to start on both offense and defense for one whole season! Rudy! Rudy! But then in my senior season I lost all confidence and rode the pine…but that’s a sad story for another day.
Why do I tell you all of this? Along with the never-give-up anthem, there rang another life-altering phrase, just four words that have helped drive me through some of life’s toughest times.
David and Goliaths
I was only five feet nine inches tall and weighed in at a mere 165 pounds, if I had recently eaten a bowl of spaghetti. I often had to line up against guys of Goliath-stature (to me) and my monumental task was to move them out of the way or keep them from destroying our quarterback. When I first started playing, this wasn’t working out very well for me, to put it mildly. But, I would gently turn my helmet back around and try again.
Upon noticing my comical inability to successfully execute my assignments, my coach spoke (okay, yelled…along with an expletive or two) those game-changing words into my life. “Keep your feet moving!” He didn’t say it once. He didn’t say it only to me. He repeated it to all of us, over and over and over.
Whenever he saw any of us with feet planted, toe-to-toe against an imposing force we would hear above all the grunts, groans, and cracking of pads, “Keep your #%$!@ feet moving!” That advice helped me overcome many a defensive foe. It was true! Stand still, get beat. Keep your feet moving, get the job done.
Words to Live By
The helmet and cleats are long gone now, but that one sentence (minus the expletives) still rings loud in my ears every time I experience something hard in life. Whenever I’m tempted to stand still or give in, I hear those words, “Keep your feet moving!”
When I’m worn down from the heat and dust of life’s two-a-days and I’m ready to walk away from it all, “never give up” rises up in my soul and my tired feet begin to move and I press on.
Sound Familiar?
The Apostle Paul shared this sentiment when he wrote to the church at Philippi, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul could do this and anything else because he knew it was Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 3:14; 4:13). The author of Hebrews encouraged us to, “Run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
I have discovered in life there are times when, despite the resolve of my heart, I just cannot muster the strength to move my feet; I cannot find it in myself to run the race or press forward. But, it’s in these despairing moments when I can trust that God will be my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1).
So, when you encounter that immovable giant in your life, remember, keep your feet moving in the strength of Jesus. Trust Him when you don’t feel like you can. He’ll be your strength.
When that trial you’re facing beats you down and wears you out, remember, never give up. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep pressing on.
Sean's World Beat 