No Promises of tomorrow

If you don't like sports, you may want to skip down to the moral of the story. If you're a football fan, read on! So yesterday I get home from my life group meeting, turn on the television, and I see that the Indianapolis Colts are losing to the Steelers. The score is 21 to 10. I think to myself that there is no way the Colts can come back from this.

Peyton Manning is at the helm with about six minutes left. He throws a pass, and gets intercepted...almost. It really looked like an interception to me, but during the coach's challenge it got overturned, and Peyton proceeded to throw a few more passes down field and score in just over a minute.

The game is 21 to 16. They go for two instead of the gimme extra point. An offsides penalty pushes them back five yards. Peyton throws a pass to the corner, CAUGHT!! The receiver drags his second foot so the turf paint flies in the air so everyone can see the legitimate catch.

The Colts hold the Steelers during their next possession, because Ben Rothleisburger isn't throwing the ball at all, and Jerome Bettis gets stopped. The Steelers punt the ball. The Colts begin around the 15 yard line. They can't move the ball. Peyton gets sacked twice. After a turnover on downs, the Steelers have the ball on the 2 yard line. Jerome Bettis gets the call, runs the ball, spins around, and has the ball swiped out of his hands. FUMBLE!!! The Colts recover, and run it all the way down to around the 50 yard line.

Peyton steps out on the field. He has had 25 last minute game winning drives in his 8 year career. That's a staggering statistic! He throws three straight downs, and moves the ball up just a tiny bit. All they need is a field goal to tie. Give Vanderjagt (the Colts kicker) a little breathing room, that's all they need. They've already been given several chances to get back in the game, but they refuse to take them.

So Vanderjagt comes on. He is PERFECT at home in the post season throughout his career. He has never missed a post season kick at home. He comes out, the Steelers try to ice him by calling a time out. I'm thinking "There's no way he's going to miss it". Bill Cowher, Steelers Head Coach is thinking the same thing. Jerome Bettis, the one who put them in this predicament, is thinking the same thing. Everyone is probably getting ready for overtime.

Vanderjagt kicks the ball. Its up, wide right, and I mean WAY WIDE RIGHT, and the game is over.

So why did I write all this? Everyday in which we are blessed to have a day given to us by God, we are given that chance to make our lives new with him. We are given a day to ask forgiveness, to repent of our sins, to change our lives, to teach others, to lead others to the church....and we take this for granted. We think to ourselves that we will have tomorrow. Just as the Colts no doubt thought when they sent out their automatic kicker they would be given another chance in overtime...we think the same way. God will give us another day, so I'll worry about it then.

There is no promise of tomorrow. Second chances are always a blessing, but don't plan your life, or your eternity on them.

-lane