God's Coaching #352

God's Coaching #352

Home plate is nice. So is the finish line when you’re running. But football’s end zone might be the greatest final destination in all American sports. End zones have produced some memorable moments. In the 1982 NFC championship game, San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana seemingly threw a ball out of the end zone before Dwight Clark made an amazing leaping grab that’s simply remembered as “The Catch.” Then there was the heartbreaking final play of Super Bowl XXXIV when Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson came up one yard short of the end zone.

College football has provided its share of memorable end-zone moments too. In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Boise State shocked Oklahoma 43–42 in overtime. The Broncos used a trick-play two-point conversion called the Statue of Liberty to beat the mighty Sooners. Moments after Boise State’s Ian Johnson ran into the end zone, he found his girlfriend, a Broncos cheerleader, and asked her to marry him. She said yes! The end zone never felt so good.

What’s the Score?

The end zone is where every football player strives to go. But spiritually speaking, there’s an infinitely greater final destination we should all aspire to: heaven. Heaven is a real place. It’s where God dwells in indescribable holiness, majesty, and power. In his love, God has offered eternal life in heaven to all followers of his Son, Jesus Christ. In fact, after his death and resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven to prepare it for all Christians (John 14:2-3).

While much of heaven will be a secret until we get there, God gives us a sneak peak in the book of Revelation. Check out chapters 21 and 22—human words can scarcely describe heaven’s glory. To be in God’s presence for eternity is beyond all comprehension. Sadly, heaven is not for everyone. The Bible is clear that only the righteous—those who accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and who live for him—will enter heaven. Good works can’t get you there. Neither can simply going to church or being raised by Christian parents. Heaven is reserved for those who turn from their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ. Even though we will die one day, our souls will live forever—either in heaven or hell. Choose heaven, the greatest destination!

On the Ball

Read Revelation 21–22 to learn more about heaven. Write down some of the most amazing parts:

If you’re not sure where you will go when you die, talk to your parents, your youth pastor, or another trusted adult.

Coach’s Comment

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 21:27