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A VICTORY FOR THE AGES

Was there any more exciting football finish this past season than the Titans controversial kickoff return for a touchdown to defeat the Bills in the AFC playoffs? Unbelievable!

With only 16 seconds left and suddenly trailing Buffalo 16-15, the Tennessee kick return team executed a trick play for an incredible victory. With the cross-field lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson and his 75-yard sprint to the goal line, the Titans fantastic finish will take its place alongside "The Drive" and "The Immaculate Reception" in NFL lore.

Was this a case of the Titans desperately drawing up this unlikely play in the dirt? Will the "Music City Miracle" be remembered as a spontaneous last-second idea? Maybe. But the truth is the Titans practice this very play every single week. They call it the Home Run Throw Back.

Every single week of the season they practice it, knowing that someday the possibility to save a game from the jaws of defeat just might arise. Now it is true that Dyson had never practiced the trick play, but players who had practiced it every week explained it to him.

When it gets right down to it, the Titans were prepared for this situation. Their preparation led to an unbelievable win.

Are you prepared for a far more important situation? The Bible says, "in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).

Are you ready? If someone were to ask you this very day, 'Do you believe in God?' Or 'Why do you spend so much time at your church?' Would you be ready to share your faith in Jesus with them? Or would you fumble the opportunity away? What would you say?

Don't wait for that to happen and be caught off guard. Practice now the words you would use to express the hope that you have. Pretend you were speaking with someone right now about your faith. Would your answer excite them? Would it interest them? Could your response lead them to ask more questions or even lead them to Jesus Christ?

Be prepared to articulate your relationship with God. Rehearse what you might say until you are reasonably confident for when the situation arises. The situation will arise and that moment will be critical.

If you are ready to explain your hope, then there just might be a victory with a much greater impact than the Titans win. You might just play a role in winning a person to Jesus Christ. Now that's a win that stands the test of time.

When Tennessee's win was official, the 66,000 plus fans stayed in the stadium and cheered. Ten minutes after the game, the fans were still chanting, cheering, and sharing in the victory. Nobody left to beat the traffic. They relished the win.

Picture the angels in heaven the same way. But imagine 50 stadiums full of angels cheering together. They absolutely cherish the moment of just one person giving their life to Christ. They clap, they cheer, and they chant with reckless delight.

So be ready. Be prepared. Practice it now. Someone is going to ask you about your faith. Your answer might just lead to a victory for the ages. And the angels will rejoice.

Christ my Coach,

Steve Teel