The Gridiron

The Gridiron

Zechariah 14:34

Zechariah 14:3-4 “3) Then shall the LORD go forth , and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” The stage is finally being set and the day is rapidly approaching. The gridiron is being readied and the warriors from both sides are in concentrated anticipation and preparation for battle. The crowds are being assembled into the stadium to witness the greatest battle ever devised. The Coaches from opposing sides are planning strategies that are sure to bring the sweet taste of victory. And all of the world, stars and galaxies await the greatest touchdown ever. My penning is not about the much awaited Alabama Georgia football game. It is about the day when the greatest touchdown will be the day when Jesus once again stands on the Mount of Olives and peers toward Jerusalem. The crowds assembled are the clouds of witnesses that surround us as we all prepare for the end time battle between good and evil. The gridiron is the Valley of Decision, where the sides have been chosen and lines laid. The Coaches are Lucifer and Jesus, and they both stand prepared for battle. Oh how quickly that day approaches and what anticipation I have in my heart as I try my best to prepare a rag tag squad of my own to play our part amongst the crowds. Victory is sure for those that wear the banner of good and defeat is as sure as the wind blows for those that have chosen the team of evil. As I sit and ponder this glorious finality I honestly could care less who wins the Alabama Georgia game. My roots come from Alabama where my Great Great Grandfathers proudly fought in the Alabama Calvary during the civil war. My ancestors stood with Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and faced Sherman as he swept across Georgia. I’ve built my life in Georgia, but each year I traveled to Alabama and laid flowers on their graves. My ancestors preached the gospel across Alabama, the mountains of Tennessee and the foothills of Georgia. They banded together throughout their lives and united together they readied as many generations as possible for the final battle. These football gridiron battles of man’s inventions are done in all fun and school spirit, but a dark side they hold. It is my prayer that the drunken insults, rantings and jeers never enter into the heart of man. Each School and their fans deserve better than that. It’s all fun and enjoyment, but it’s not the end of the world. I know when the final battle rages I will stand shoulder to shoulder with those of every state and nation as we have chosen the team of good on where to plant our feet. So to all my friends in Alabama, I love you dearly and I hope and pray your Tide rolls on!!!! And to my friends in Georgia, I pray your Dawgs are to the task and they display valiant honor in the face of a tough fight!! But when the final clock ticks down, we all drop the façade of football and school spirit, but stand together under the Banner of Christ on the final gridiron. Hey………I love you all and have a great day………..Pastor Brion