A sad day for me. The college football season is officially over, after what seemed like 400 bowl games. Anyway, during the bowl season, before a game I can’t remember,  former coach Lou Holtz said this is what he would tell his team before taking the field in the game, “You have 60 minutes to play and a lifetime to remember it.” He’s basically saying that in a football game, there will be adversity. There will be pain. You will get tired. But, it will only last 60 minutes. You can rest and enjoy the memories afterward.

This not only applies to a football game but to the game of life as well. Let’s face it, life is hard. Jesus even promised as much when He said, “In this life you will have trouble” (see John 16:33). Our lives are also short. The Bible says our lives are but a mist that soon vanishes (see James 4:14).

There are times when we face things that just seem impossible. There are times when we hurt like never before. There are times when we don’t think we can take another step. However, we must remember, that right after Jesus told us we would have trouble, he followed it by saying, “But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

To use Holtz-speak, this is what could be said to a Christ-follower who is facing difficult challenges, “I know this is difficult, but you have this moment to give it your all unto the glory of God and before you know it, it will be over. And you know what, when you look at the big picture, your life doesn’t last long either, so you might as well make the most of it. You might as well leave it all on the field! Then you can rest in the presence of Jesus forever.”

You see, even if you are facing difficult challenges, they will soon pass. In fact, this life will pass by very soon. So why not honor God in all we do, during good times and bad?