ALL IN THE GAME

I remember the saying “It’s all in the Game”. I believe it referred to anything that had influenced the outcome of a game. Things such as errors, close calls or bad calls, ejections, substitutions etc. Things that happened that no one could change. I like to look at an exceptional word in that text that is really taken for granted. I call it the BIG little word ALL!

In sports there is nothing like Pro Football. I’m sure many agree it’s the ultimate sport in the fall. I myself love it, but I really lean towards College football. GO Badgers! To me college players have to prove something every play of every game. They of course have the fans, the love for their Alma-Mater, and the need to PROVE to the scouts they have what it takes to compete in the Pros. I believe All fits in here nicely. They give all on every play, all day long and all season long.

When it comes to Pro sports, what names can you come up with that you feel gave their all? I remember names like Muhammed Ali, Ozzie Smith, Wayne Gretzky, Pete Rose, Michael Jordan, and my favorite Brett Favre. Mixed feelings about these? These players all played with substantial injuries when they could have opted to sit and take it easy. They usually, even with injuries, changed the outcome of the game. Some players paid All for giving All. Brian Piccolo, Daryl Stingley, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. to name a few that I recall.

What does the word “ All mean to us”? Does it mean when we feel really good about something, or to get our way, or to be noticed or maybe monetary gain? Yes, that’s when we will give our all! I would like at this time to talk about the word “All” in the Christian context. God gave us All he had when he gave up his ONLY son Jesus Christ to die for us. Jesus gave All when he chose to die for our sins! Matthew 6:33 says: “Seek first ALL his kingdom and righteousness and All these things will be given to you”. WHY? Romans 3:23 “Since ALL have sinned and are falling short of the glory which God bestows and receives. Remember this: We, every one of us, are ALL in the Game! The bottom line reads like this: ALL MEANS ALL. ALL OF YOU ALL THE TIME ALL FOR JESUS CHRIST BEFORE IT’S ALL OVER !!