Go Deep!

Columbus day weekend was a shocker for sport lovers across Boston. The Red Sox: swept out of the play-offs by the Angels! Now what? Are we forced to support our rival Yankees against the resurgent West Coast teams? Not likely. Rather, I suspect the subject of baseball will all but disappear from New England conversation until next summer.

What about Brady and the Pats? Are you kidding me? Somehow contriving to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory! I get the feeling that the monkey on Brady's back is his reputation rather than his repaired knee. The Broncos QB, Orton, who looks like Mr. Unassuming and probably won't marry a supermodel; played like the seasoned pro, while Brady desperately tried to engineer the old magic to no avail. Sure he did OK in the first half, but the long bombs exploded on the turf, and were it not for zippy Wes Welker grinding out the yards, the game would have been over long before the end of regular time.

I mentioned football in Sunday's sermon. I compared the fisherman Peter's return to the deeper water after an unsuccessful night on the sea in Luke 5 to the resolve of a receiver to dash into the end zone one more time to catch the elusive ball and win the game. In tough times we must still position ourselves within reach of opportunity and expect success, especially in response to Jesus command to "go deep."

My family and I went deep when we passed through "the eye of a needle", leaving our life in South Africa behind to go into the deeper water of the USA, expecting a great catch! It has been hard work just getting to and staying in this "end zone" of opportunity. The game is well into the fourth quarter and we need a touchdown to go to extra time. Like Randy Moss I feel like the ball just hasn't been there for a pass completion.

I will keep running into the end zone, continue sailing into deeper water to let down my nets. My hands are raised, my head is lifted, I know my quarterback has His eyes on me.