Weekly Devotional Message from Dr. David Jones

February 1, 2008 


Dear family and friends of WCPC:

This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday! I discovered early in my ministry not to schedule anything, other than a Super Bowl party, for this particular Sunday evening. Even people who don’t like football will watch some of the game, if for nothing else but for the commercials. 

If you’ve followed the pre-game hype, you know that Eli Manning, who for most of the season was criticized by everyone and might have been benched, had it all come together for him in the last four games. One commentator said it was like a light suddenly went on in his head. He started to see things differently. All the preparation in high school, college and his four years in the pros, all the practices and games, everything finally fell into place for him.

Now I don’t know if that particularly commentator is right or wrong. While I enjoy sports for entertainment, I have never taken it so seriously that I can tell you why Eli Manning finally is playing like a champion, but his comment did cause me to think.

You see often disciples of Jesus suddenly begin to “get it.” At some point, after all the preparation (Bible Study, Sunday School, worship, etc.), and after real life game situations (being a spouse, a parent, an employee, etc.) it does all start to come together. It’s like a light goes on and we start to say things like, “Of course. That makes sense.”

Now my experience has been, just about the time that light goes on, I recognize I need another light or two, so it’s back to practice and preparation, real life situations, and then, usually, another light goes on. And then, as before, I recognize I need more light, so it’s back to the books, back to life, and then, well I think you get the picture.

Maybe for you those lights are coming on. It’s great to see that when it happens. Maybe you would like a light or two to come on. Don’t despair and don’t give up. It takes practice and real life situation. Just like for Eli Manning, it took a lot of practice and a lot of game time decisions, a lot of watching film and throwing interceptions, and watching more film, and more practice, and more real time situations, before he could play in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

I don’t know if Eli Manning and the Giant will win or not. A half hour after the game it won’t matter much to me one way or the other. It’s just a game, entertainment. But I do know that if you and I keep keeping on. If we are faithful and persistent. If we don’t give up and throw in the towel, the lights will go on. And we’re look back, grateful we didn’t give up.

Here’s praying for those lights to keep going on in my life and yours until that day when the light of Christ will brighten everything!

Your pastor,

David Jones

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12