Football & Life's Ultimate Goal

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

FIFA World Cup 2014 Fever in Imphal :: Football Fans watching the Semi-final match live on July 8th night 2014 at Imphal
Pix - Daniel Chabungbam

Nothing is more exciting than the football action, specially the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil. A grueling run with a great dribble… run with a great dribble and feint. A thrilling save, an accurate pass! A tremendous and spectacular shot and ultimately … A GOAL!!

To win on the field, players must have a solid technique, a firm grasp of soccer tactics and a commitment to teamwork. They must be skilled at controlling the ball, as well as passing and shooting. Above all, it's essential that they use their heads with intelligence and read each game quickly as it moves around them.

The truth is that soccer isn't too different from the ultimate competition-life. Each day brings a new "contest" that involves "opponents", confrontations and challenges. Excelling-and ultimately winning-is determined by dozens of split-seconds we make the right 'choices' or 'decisions' to win the game of sport and life.

And as people with strong values based on the Scripture we would like to help people to be developed in the essential spheres of their lives using sports.

There is emptiness inside every person that can be filled only with God. But people filled it with varieties of replacement:

The man who made the balls has something in mind before making and designing the balls for the product. Though different ball has its sizes and weight it has to fulfill the purpose of making it. Though it comes to its completion from the factory, one most important thing is needed, to make use of it to fulfill its purposes - "it needs air" – so is man's life. God made us so wonderfully in "His own Image and Likeness" but that's not fully complete. We need the Holy Spirit to fulfill our purpose to why God created us. Or else, man's life without God's Spirit will be like a flat ball – though the balls looks so beautiful and colorful, it will never fulfills the purpose!

God Has a Goal for Your Life

He is like a coach who provides a playbook and rules that enables his athletes to fulfill their potential and play their best. God has given you His playbook and His set of rules for successful living – "the Bible".

Sure anybody can give you a new set of rules. But God gives you more than rules. He gives you 'Reasons'. In fact, He gives you the best reason of all: "Life, Incredible, Abundant, Excitement and Eternal life". He wants the very best for you!!

Just as an athlete dependant upon his coach for guidance- you need direction, too. You need someone who will steer you past the opponents and trails you face… and on to the 'Goal'. There is only one place to look - and that is 'God'.

God started loving you long before you started even breathing in your mother's womb. He created you: He puts you together- cell by cell- piece by piece. He knows every thought that crosses your mind and He feels every feeling you experience in your life, because He died for your sins.

You can call on 'JESUS' anytime and anyplace, He is waiting for you.

A Christian is a person who has said "No" to Satan and death: And said "Yes" to Jesus awesome offer to choose life – and win the greatest goal ever! God be with you!!!

(This article is extracted from the book- "Football Focus", Author by Dr. Thamsing Lamkang at Sports Resource Center, Dimapur).