At the time of this post we are only 2 days away from the greatest time of the year… FOOTBALL SEASON. If I’m being honest, I actually don’t care about football season. Let me explain, I truly only care about Tennessee football. If there was a world where I could only hear Vols updates and never have to hear about Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, life would be great. If I am being honest, it’s been tough over the last few years; but without a doubt, I get just as amped for the start of a new season. I would be delusional if I didn’t accept the fact that my beloved Vols have had a rough go the last few years (a few is actually a stretch).
I am one of those guys that loves to know all of my facts before I say things. It makes me seem more educated and at the very least, level headed. For example, did you know that Tennessee still ranks as the 10thmost winningest program in all of College Football? Tennessee is the home of Six National Championships. Tennessee has beaten Alabama more than any other team in the nation, 38 times to be exact. Tennessee has appeared in 50 bowl games with 26 victories, which also puts them in the Top 10 of Bowl Appearances and Victories. With all of this success though, the Vols of my lifetime have been all over the board.
In my first decade of life, Tennessee was one of the most dominate teams in the nation. In the 90’s, Tennessee won 99 of their 123 games; giving them a win percentage of 80.49%. The 90’s were great, most particularly 1995-1998 when the Vols went 45-5. Truthfully, I didn’t know what I was getting the privilege of experiencing as a fan.
The next decade saw a bit of a slowdown and the exit of the Winningest Active Coach; leaving our decade record to a mere 83-44, a winning percentage of only 65.35%. But alas, things began to get even worse. In fact, we still have a year left in this decade and we have lost only nine fewer games than we did in the first 20 seasons (two decades) of my life.
At this point, you are probably thinking, “why did I just get a history lesson on Tennessee football?” The reason is quite simple. You can see that I am vested in this team returning to the Glory Days. Without a doubt you can see my passion for Tennessee football. You can also see my hopefor better seasons to come.
People regularly question my hope in the return of a dominant Tennessee football team. (Mostly bandwagon Alabama fans that wouldn’t even be able to tell you who Mike DuBose or Dennis Franchione are). But do people ever question my hope in Christ?
Paul writes in 1 Peter 3:15- “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
Paul wrote that knowing that if we are truly living as Christ followers, non-believers (the world) would look at us and questions our hope. He knew that if we were living the called life that we would stand out from the crowd. Paul shows us that it’s not a question of “if” we are going to be asked about our hope, but a question of “when”.
I can honestly say that I have been questioned more about my hope in the Vols than I have about my hope in Christ.
Reflecting on that reality and on Paul’s verse, it forced me to do an inward examination of how I live out my faith. I want to live a life that is so full of faith and hope in Christ that people question where it comes from. I want to live a life that doesn’t allow circumstance to effect my thoughts or actions. I want to live the life that Christ has called me to.
We are all called to live life more abundantly in Christ. When the odds are stacked against you, when the diagnosis wasn’t what you hoped, when the finances aren’t adding up… we are still called to live more abundantly. It is in these moments that people begin questioning your hope in Christ the most. You have a choice. Allow the circumstances to dictate your situation or place your hope in Christ.
“ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (ESV)
Hope in Christ Alone.
Charlie H. Brooks 