My brother-in-law, Jimmy Chupp, who was the head football coach at Greater Atlanta Christian school invited me to join him on the field as a lay coach. It was in the early years of my homebuilding career, and at a time that I had a lot on my plate. However, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to get back on the football field.
My nephew’s, Jimmy’s identical twin boys were promising players on the team, and the memories of those days spent together on the field, are many of the best in my life. For a guy like me, it doesn’t get much better than spending time on the turf with loved ones like “The Chuppers” and all the other young men and coaches. God certainly blessed me when He placed me on the team. And to be able to do it almost every day of the week— It was truly Heaven on earth.
I’m not sure how I made a difference in those young men’s lives, but somehow I know I did, because that’s how God works—He always has a plan. However, what I do know for sure is how my time spent with that team made a significant difference in my life.
During these coaching seasons of my life there was one brief moment that had such a profound impact on me as a Christian, that I often still think of it to this day. The moment didn’t occur on the field coaching the boys on backpedaling, tackling or making a play on the ball. No, it didn’t even occur on the field. Matter of fact, it wasn’t even about football at all.
We were having the post season banquet, the type that all sports teams typically have, and Tim Ball, one of the coaches, was up at the mic and he said something about me. I can’t remember if he was introducing me as a new part of the team or simply mentioning my name about something else. However, I do remember the words that he used to described me. He said; “It’s quite obvious to see that Jim is a man who wants to be just like Jesus Christ.” Pretty simple straight forward statement, right?—It floored me.
That’s what someone sees when they look at me…that’s who he thinks I am? At that time in my life I didn’t think that way about myself. Sure, I was doing Kingdom work. I was serving, tithing, honoring, doing my best, but I never really thought that when someone looked at me, that they could catch a glimpse of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the man! I’m not the man, I’m just another guy wanting to honor the Lord and take care of his wife.
Coach Jimmy Chupp would often say, “Be a difference maker.” And now here’s another coach on his team taking up that sword…now that’s how you coach!
Those words made a difference in my life. Twelve simple words, that’s all it takes to make a difference in somebody’s life. Even if it was just one man who saw me as someone who wanted to be just like Jesus. One was enough. The fire was ignited, somebody saw Jesus when they looked at me. Before those words, that’s not what I saw when I looked in the mirror. Now, I knew Jesus’ reflection could be seen in me. Even if it was just a glimpse… I was shinning God’s light.
That’s the difference I want to make in other people’s lives. I want people to know that they can be a light in this world; That they can be just like Jesus Christ. That was God’s plan from the very beginning.
I want to ignite a fire inside of people, one that moves them to accomplish great things in their lives.
The main purpose of my writing is to encourage others to read The Bible. And I hope the stories and analogies from my past experiences will inspire the same passion for reading The Bible inside of you, that they developed in me.
I ask you to study the scriptures with me and then put God’s principles and truths to work in your life. Putting God’s words to work in your life is critical. And when it comes to His word, you need to go deep. I feel to properly understand God’s truths, one must invest considerable time and effort; reading, studying and meditating on His Word.
Through The Bible you learn how to build your life on God’s enduring promises and along the way you’ll find out what’s important to you. And reading The Bible daily will establish a ritual that will make your life more meaningful.
Christianity is about having a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Once we have a relationship, The Holy Spirit moves us to want to help people. The Kingdom builders of God’s world are those who have taken the nudges from the Spirit and followed them in the direction that God wants them to go. It’s this obedience and honor given to The Holy Spirit’s pleadings in our lives that lead us to helping others find their way into Heaven.
When you help people find the Lord you may find the reflection of yourself changing. It becomes a bit like looking in the mirror and seeing Jesus’ image instead of your own. When you sense this reflection the feeling is incredible. Abiding and honoring in God fulfills the one shared and big-picture purpose in all the scriptures: To Glorify God.
That’s what ignites my passion for spreading The Good News—Glorifying God. The Bible is all that’s really needed in ones life to build an incredibly close and dependent life with your Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Yes, pastors and preachers, and family and friends, along with many others can help greatly in your development as a Christian. However, they all pale in comparison to the personal development you get from reading The Bible.
I don’t believe that there is anything more significant that you do in this life to help you build a closer relationship with Jesus Christ than reading The Bible.
I want to ignite a new spark in your life. I want to show you that wherever you are and in whatever you do, not only can you find meaning, but you can accomplish what God has planned for you.
I am humbled to be able to share some of the lessons that I’ve learned from swinging a hammer and spending time on a field. At one time I never imagined that they could be worthy enough to cast a light on God’s own words and truths. However, through the encouragement of others I have come to know, that Jesus Christs’ light, shines bright in all of us…We just need to let it out.
Glory be to God – Shine baby shine!