Rule Book of Life - the BibleSample

11:28-30 ALONE or WITH JESUS

When we get in a rut, it is easy for us to sulk, get down ourselves, and feel like we are by ourselves. There is a poem called “Footprints in the Sand” which says:

One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you; never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

I find the Gospel verse to be one of the most comforting passages in Scripture. Jesus has just finished rebuking unrepentant towns He has passed through and praises God for His gracious will. Now He invites His disciples and us to “come to Him” - no strings attached. His yoke is easy & His burden is light. Yet, how often do we try to do it alone; take on the task of a hard or difficult assignment, coach, or partner with all that “we possess”? When in reality, everything we possess is a gift from God to which we are called to be stewards of those gifts. So let us come to Him each night; yoke ourselves to Him & know that we will be prepared for all that we will face each night on and off the floor.

Why is it that we always believe that we are on our own when faced with difficult situations?

How can we use this verse from Scripture as we prepare to go out and give our very best as an official?

This plan was written by NCAA Division 1 Women's Referee Joe Vaszily.

Did this plan encourage you? Learn more about MND Ministries and our weekly devotional call for Sports Officials by visiting www.mndministries.org.