If you’re a football fan, this is a big week in your annual calendar. It’s the kind of “got to” that makes adjustments to many of the other steady commitments that define the rest of your year, which step-aside to make space for the epic exception. What’s happening?

      On Tuesday, the Pro Bowl is coming to you, “live” from San Francisco. Populated with current best-of players from across the NFL, the seven-man teams – one from the AFC, one from the NFC – will play an exhibition-style competition at the Moscone Center, along with a host of carnival-style sideshows on the field. Will you cancel anything meaningful for the Pro Bowl? Doubtful.

      Then, on Sunday evening – just down the road in Santa Clara – the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will clash in the 60^th annual reenactment of the Super Bowl. This one is for all the chips; no “tie” will end that contest. Pro Bowl vs Super Bowl: what’s the difference?

      One key distinction: on Sunday, both teams will have a game plan whose intent is to win. The pronouncement may be, “May the best team win,” but the practicum will be that the best plan will win.

      Your Christian life is not a Pro Bowl exhibition, put on as a show: it’s life’s Super Bowl, and you’ll leave it all on the field in an effort to finish with the victory. Is that “Spiritual Winning”?

      The Apostle Paul expressed his informed perspective: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize!” (1 Corinthians 9)

      Winners don’t just get lucky: they live differently than losers. They plan; they push; they prevail: they have a plan. What’s your plan to win the challenge of life that matters most? Six elements:

      Forget your past: don’t let things you cannot change deny you the future that you have the power to pursue. Most Bible heroes came into their Kingdom role with checkered pasts; what God had in mind for them would rewrite their stories. Again, Paul: “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3)

      Act your attitude: age is irrelevant; attitude is everything. The Jews had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their offenses against God. When – under old Joshua – they were ready to move into the Promised Land, the only other senior citizen was Caleb. Listen to his conviction: “Here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still strong today… just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me on that day.” (Joshua 14).

      Stoke your fire: passion is the high-octane fuel of life. Find it, and light it up! Paul wasn’t in it for the money: “When I preach the Gospel… I’m compelled to preach! Woe to me if I do not…!” (1 Corinthians 9). If you’re only paycheck motivated, you’ll wilt when the chips are down.

      Get to work: you’ve got to know what God’s assignment is for you! Random volunteerism will never represent the purposeful course for your ultimate contribution. Jesus: “It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task…” (Mark 13). That assignment is your Kingdom Calling: clarify it, and crush it!

      Expand your world: death sets in when you stop exploring and start settling. A dozen guys who had never been further than 100 miles from home heard this play in the huddle: “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28). The Christian faith was the ultimate international brand: obedience comes to life when you start operating outside your comfortable neighborhood!

      Ensure your immortality: you will live forever through the legacy of people into whose lives you invest. Paul’s strategy for perpetuity: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2). If it dies with you, you’re as good as dead already. If you’re passing life along, your legacy is assured.

      So: are you going to live like one of the carnival performers at the Pro Bowl? or, will you set your sights on the Big Win at the Super Bowl of Life? If you’re serious, what’s your plan?

— Bob Shank