Each year I eagerly await that first day of fall where I can actually smell football in the air – it’s the smell of fall, cleaner air, cooler temperatures.

I’ll never forget playing backyard football with some neighborhood friends where we lined up and chose teams.  Without fail there was always one kid among us who was picked first… the one with raw talent… the one that didn’t have to talk trash, because his abilities spoke for him.  I can honestly say that I usually wasn’t that kid.  I swam around in the average talent pool.  But on those days when the best kid on the field was on my team… I seemed to play better, and my intensity seemed to climb.

In professional sports, this person is known as a difference maker.  The Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Dr. J, Labron James of basketball.  The John Elway, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, Peyton Manning of Football.  The Manny Ramirez, Pete Rose, Babe Ruth, Greg Maddux of Baseball.

These players are the exception to the rule in the world of sports.  It takes special talent to rise to the professional ranks of sports, but there is an upper echelon, like those guys, that rise above the highest level and affect every player around them.  Without them in the game… the team loses it’s punch.

In our faith every day, we all stand shoulder to shoulder on the same team with all of our brothers and we’ve answered our call.  Christ has given us the requirements necessary to get in the game of faith, and when we say “yes” to Him, we agree to step on the field every day.  My question to you is… are you a difference maker?  Is your faith made of something more than ordinary?  Do you step into the game of life and people around you rise to the occaision to make things happen?

Every one that professes to believe in Jesus Christ as the risen saviour of mankind… is a differnce maker;  and that includes you.  Are you living up to that expectation?  When you step on the field, you are agreeing to play with intensity, passion, and concern for your teammates.  There is no option to stand on the sidelines out of fear, doubt, or low self-esteem.  If you believe in Christ as you say, then, you have the power of the Creator and the intensity of God Almighty in your life.

Get on the field.  Become a difference maker.  Live your life in a way that raises the standards, the abilities, and level of commitment for those around you.  It is your responsibility, not someone else’s.  Unlike football… the game of faith is played 24-7… not just on Sundays.

Like all good players, you have to perfect your art, sharpen your skills, and refine your talents.  Start a small group of guys if you don’t have one.  Pick up the Live Bold articles or devotionals as a conversation starter.  Prepare your life to elevate your game.  Get on the field today and make a difference in the lives of people around you.  Be counted among the disciples of Christ that play with intensity and leave nothing in the tank at the end of each day.

Pray for strength, cut out the lying and cheating.  Stop messing with darkness, evil, and addiction.  Shield your eyes from temptation, and don’t participate in the cutting and degrading speech against your brothers.  Be strong, be consistent, and be mindful that you breathe today because God gave you the breath of life.  Be a difference maker… you have the authority and the ability to do it.  Now get on the field today… your brothers need your intensity.
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