ESPN crowned North Platte’s Danny Woodhead as this year’s “cult hero.” North Platte fans no doubt watched the New England Patriots lose yesterday’s playoff game to their rival the NY Jets. Patriots 5-foot-7 running back Danny Woodhead who is from North Platte has become a cult hero not just in Nebraska but in the NFL this year. Danny has been a key component in the Bill Belichick offense by running and receiving nearly 1,000 combined yards and six touchdowns. He totaled 98 yards in their loss to the Jets. Last week, ESPN featured him in this article. [1] Danny remains close to his family and as ESPN reports his mother texts Scriptures to Danny before every Patriots game. His parents also call him and pray together before each game. Danny is a great example of determination. His entire life, coaches have told him he was too short to play football which includes the University of Nebraska. I have also found it funny that Frank Solich who was both a former Husker coach and player wouldn’t offer him a scholarship. Solich was a 5-foot-7 running back for the Huskers.
God’s Word stresses the importance of personal determination. The Lord assures us His glory is the goal (1 Corinthians 10:31), not man’s approval. Furthermore, when He tells us to love, He tells us to do it fervently (1 Peter 4:8). When maintaining a friendship, it is to be devoted (Romans 12:10). When steering clear of evil, we are told to stay away from even the appearance of it (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When seeing a brother or sister in need, we are to bear the burden sacrificially (Galatians 6:1-2), not stay at a safe distance. When it comes to my sport, I am to be disciplined (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8) and diligent (1 Thessalonians 2:9). The Scriptures abound with exhortations to go above and beyond the required call of duty—to a dedication which persists against opposition, doing my tasks with excellence.
Gospel Tweet: One reason we give up in our efforts to obey God’s Word is because we obsess more over our performance for Jesus than we do Jesus’ performance for us.
“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
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