Loser's Limp
November 26, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving! I know…I’m a few days late with that greeting but I had full intentions of getting this out prior to Turkey Day, but two things got in my way. The first was that I suffered from an overdose of Tryptophan….evidently when you eat an entire Turkey you get a chemical reaction…..Butterball should put out a disclaimer!! The second setback was just that…..a “set back.” Due to my “Butterball” belly, I have been unable to reach the keyboard for several days, thus delaying this writing.
For me, the perfect Thanksgiving weekend has three components: Family, Food, and Football. While feasting on Pigskin the past few days, I noticed something. The next time you watch a game, pay close attention to the wide receivers and defensive backs. Often when either a receiver drops a pass or a defensive back gets beat on a play, they suddenly pull up lame. Watch how they hobble back to the huddle….what you are seeing is called a “Loser’s Limp.” The only thing that is hurt is their pride. Had they caught the ball or prevented the other guy from catching it, they would be celebrating their success; instead they want sympathy from their teammates, coaches and fans. What they want to hear is, “Of course you couldn’t make that play…..you can barely walk!” The Loser’s Limp is nothing more than an excuse. We do the same thing every day. Thankfully our lives aren’t broadcast to a viewing audience…..or are they? No one pays a ticket to watch our excuses…..they actually pay a much higher price. In what situations do you pull up lame? At home, at work, at church? Excuses do nothing but reinforce the very behavior you are trying to excuse in the first place. For years I have said that the reason I am carrying a few extra pounds is because my body retains Ice Cream. How is that going to help anything? All that excuse does is one: makes people laugh and B: it somehow gives me a free pass to get elbow deep in a tub of Blue Bell Rocky Road!
One of the best examples in scripture on how God views excuses is found in the Parable of the Talents. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the story of a man who gave each of his servants some money to invest. To one of the men he gave 5, to the second he gave 2 and to the third he gave 1. After some time had passed he asked them all a simple question: “How did you do?” The first guy turned 5 into 10. The second guy turned 2 into 4. The third guy? He suddenly pulled a hamstring and began his “Loser’s Limp.” He was worried about losing the 1, and so he did nothing with it. He was quickly shown the door and the boss took the 1 and gave it to the guy who turned 5 into 10. What’s interesting is that the boss was not interested in how the team performed. He asked them individually. That’s huge. Collectively they turned 8 into 15! You would think he would let “Hamstring Harry” slide and keep him on the team as a benchwarmer. Nope. God is not interested in hearing why we “coulda, woulda, and shoulda.” He knows we didn’t pull a hammy and He doesn’t need instant replay to see if we dropped the ball or not. Now here is what’s cool. Have you thought about bringing God out of the owner’s box and onto the field? No, he doesn’t just want to be the Head Coach of your team….He would prefer for you to let him play quarterback!!! Let him….He’s undefeated!!!
