WF Pride
Positive Attitude and Passion for Life and Work
Chad Cottingham
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have been the talk of the NFL, and the nation, the last few weeks for their role and involvement in deflate gate. There are so many pressing events happening around the world, but no one seems to care much about world or political events. All the attention seems to be focused on following our favorite (or most hated) sports teams and their multi-million dollar athletes.
Speaking of Tom Brady, I want to take a minute and look back at an interview he had in December of 2008 on 60 Minutes (you can watch the interview on YouTube). This comes after he was a three-time Super Bowl Champion. Brady makes the following statement:
“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, and my life. I think, ‘God, it’s got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn’t, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be … I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I’m trying to find.”
Wow! Tom Brady, three-time Super Bowl Champion and on top of the world, saying there has to be more in life than this. Brady clearly understands the harsh reality of this world that meaning and fulfillment cannot come through our accomplishments because we never will amass accomplishments enough. The vanity and emptiness of life are inescapable. All too often people chase money, possessions, accomplishments, education, power and position to gain happiness and purpose in life. Their passion can often be misguided when, like Tom Brady, they get to the top and realize that there is more, something more they are missing.
What they are truly missing, what they are truly longing for, is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only in Him can we truly find peace, fulfillment, and purpose in life. God has placed in all of us a longing and a thirst for Him. Psalm 42:2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? In Him we can truly be passionate about our life and work. 1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. ~NLT
“Dear Lord, life is meaningless without You! All too often we chase the pleasures of this world to find out they don’t fulfill our true thirst – our thirst for You. Forgive us for being self-centered. Thank you for always being there, waiting with outstretched arms for us to return to you. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”