With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games over, there is an important lesson that we can learn from Team Canada’s overtime win.  First, they opted to become defensive-minded instead of remaining on the offensive.  While good defence is important, it will ultimately be the offence that wins the game.  You must score one more goal than your opponent.  As a Christian, it is a reminder not to become so defensive in the world that we forget that our job is to outscore our opponent.  Oddly enough, there is no overtime in the game of life.  Remember, Jesus’ last command before He left earth was not just to win souls, but to disciple them in His ways.

Scripture References:  Mark 16:15-20 NLT

Kent Austin, coached the Saskatchewan Roughriders for one season. Prior to his departure, he said something to the press about why his players were rising to the challenges of contending for a Grey Cup. Coach Austin stated:

“What’s the point of playing if you don’t believe? There’s a difference in faith and belief. Belief requires action. And if you’re gonna play to win, you need to talk differently, walk differently, act differently, practice differently, prepare differently. And you gotta back it up with your actions . ”

Action is often the missing ingredient in success because people expect that God will do everything for them. In fact, God is waiting for them to act in and on their faith so that the purposeful action they take can yield results. Remeber, James said:

James 1:22-25 NLT
(22) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
(23) For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
(24) You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
(25) But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.