Chapter 2 titled My Own Journey opened the door to Coach Gibb's down-to-earth statement that, ""Everybody's going to follow somebody. In football, it's the head coach. In NASCAR, it's the crew chief. In life, I believe it's God." (page 19).And then His unashamed love for Jesus on the next page, "In the game of life, our Head Coach loved us enough to send His only Son to die for our sins, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have enternal life." Who can argue with that statement directly from the Bible? Many can and many do. But this coach does not write this chapter to argue or throw the Bible in your face. At least I didn't get that from reading.
I liked the story about how he thought he was so important - - doing lots of things in his career well - and one day he was above "picking up his bathrobe and socks." He came to his senses after a confrontation with his wife (as well as the conviction that only comes from God) and realized though he was quickly climbing the ladder of success, he was never going to be left out of doing menial chores at home. His wife brought him down-to-earth that day.
He realized his arrogance, "Regardless of your profession, some days everybody's cheering for you, and the next day they're booing. Then they're cheering again." I related to what he said because no matter if your wife is cheering or booing you - you still need to man up and help around the house (well to a certain point that is).
The chapter ends with talk of team building which is the ticket into the team approach to the rest of the book. I enjoyed the author's reminder that no matter what I accomplish, how well I do, at the end of the day I am still a husband, an employee, a son of the Most High. Remembering this keeps me humble. And I almost forgot - - I am a man standing on the promise that one day I will have eternal life. Thanks Joe Gibbs for reminding me today that the Head Coach gave me the ticket for life. And it had nothing to do with anything I ever did or could ever do. God's free gift. Salvation.
Check back for Chapter 3 recap. Josh McDowell has been handed the ball. He's ready to run with it....
