Did you watch either of the football games on Sunday? Regardless of which team you were rooting for, you must admit, those were some games! Back and forth, come back from behind, get ahead, then it’s tied, go into overtime. Big catches and near misses. Up and down, back and forth. Gosh, it was exciting, wasn’t it?

We love an exciting game. We love an exciting movie. What about an exciting life? Do you want an exciting life? Yes you say? Great, that’s what God wants to give you.

But remember what makes excitement? Twists and turns. Upsets and jaw droppers. Conflict and struggle. Last minute change. Shall I keep going?

Think about it, the very things that truly make an exciting life are the things we must try to avoid. And we wonder why we’re a little bored with it all. You can quit running from the struggle … the struggle is real, and the struggle is right. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO STRUGGLE. Isn’t that great news! You’re not struggling because you’re broken or lacking. You’re struggling because you’re supposed to. It’s all part of an exciting life!

Jesus told us in John 16:33 – In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Now let me give you the PDC translation (yeah, that would be me, the Pamela Dee Crim version of John 16:33) – Girl, life isn’t going to be easy. There are going to be tough times and struggles … but trust me, I’ve got this. I already won! And you’re on my team.

Jesus is your coach and He’s a winner. He wants to show you how to win this thing.

Think about it … your life is like a game of football. If it were easy … if it were a guaranteed blow out, who would really want to watch you play other than your mama? Without fighting for the win and being forced to keep getting better, even you would get bored with winning.

Don’t believe me? Look at all the celebrities we’ve lost to drug overdoses and suicides over the past few years. When you have it all, life gets distorted and the game isn’t worth playing.

Coach Jesus, show us how to play our game well.

Your struggle is designed to strengthen you. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. Your challenge is here only to help you change. Your struggle is here to help you grow stronger. The ups and downs happening in your life aren’t here to take you out of the game, they’re here to keep you in the game! It’s all an invitation to live an exciting life!

Look around … you have the makings of a good game. Now get yourself on the field and give it your best.

DON’T COUNT YOURSELF OUT … not yet girl. Nope. You’ve still got fight in you. I know there is more in you. You may have failed last week … okay, whatcha gonna do about it this week? How much longer are you gonna lick those wounds?

It’s all the makings of a good story. You’ve been setup for making history. YOU CAN COME BACK!!!!! Get your head in the game and set your mind to winning today.

It’s game time. God is counting on you. Coach has called your name. This is your game to win or lose. What will you do?

Here’s what you will do today … YOU WILL GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT and know it’s all going to be a great story one day. Enjoy this exciting life on the field, in the game, giving it your all!