Have you ever noticed that some people hold up signs with Bible verses at football games?

If so, perhaps you think that’s weird. There was a time when I would have agreed with you.

But Tony Campolo tells a story that makes us think again. A man was sitting at home watching the Superbowl. At halftime someone held up a sign that said John 1:12.

Out of curiosity he grabbed a much-neglected Bible and looked it up. When he did, something fell out—some old notes he had taken during a talk he had heard a long time ago at summer camp.

He said: “I read over those notes and remembered what I had forgotten and forsaken. I got down on my knees, there and then, and gave my life back to Jesus.”* 

In case you’re curious, John 1:12 says: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”

There are times when God takes our imperfect deeds of faith—even when they might seem weird—and scores a touchdown. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself; but you know what I mean!) Our job isn’t to do everything perfectly, but to live faithfully. When we do, God does exceptional things with our average lives.  

In Isaiah 55:11 we learn that God’s word will not return to him empty. His word is working, effective, and never silenced because you and I often mess things up.

Do you get discouraged because you try to do something but don’t always see immediate and amazing results? Don’t be. God’s word can never be tackled. (Again, sorry! lol)

Our job isn’t to do everything perfectly, but to live faithfully.

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Notes:

–*As told in: Tony Campolo, Let Me Tell You A Story: Life Lessons from Unexpected Places and Unlikely People (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000), 106.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.