First, even though he played the line in high school, Rudy is way too small for college. Plus, he doesn't have the grades to even get admitted by Notre Dame's high standards. Plus, his dad wants him to get his head out of the clouds and take his place in life - - as a steel mill laborer (And he tells him so, regularly). Plus, his teachers don't think he's college material - - anywhere. Plus, - - well, you get the picture.
As shown in the movie, Rudy boards a bus and gets himself (physically) to South Bend. Once there, he meets with the priest and pours out his heart: "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go to school here. And ever since I was a kid, everyone said it couldn't be done. My whole life, people have been tellin' me what I could do and what I couldn't do. And I've always listened to them. I don't wanna do that anymore."
In a rare moment, the priest offers him the slimmest of hopes: "OK, Mr. Rudy. Here's the deal: Holy Cross Junior College is nearby and I can get you one semester there. You make grades, you get another semester. Then, maybe, with a high enough GPA, you might have a chance of getting into Notre Dame.
For the next two years, Rudy works at Holy Cross, getting the grades and applying - - only to be denied time and again. But then it happens. A letter from Notre Dame, informing him he was accepted for admission.
After all that time - - all the studying, all the classes, all the rejection, and all the work to get here - - Rudy was ready to get to work on fulfilling his dreams of playing football at the school of the Golden Dome. The first day of tryouts as a walk-on should've been a time of great exhilaration, but football coaches have a way of stifling that all by themselves. Watch & listen:
(If you put your cursor over the blue box, an x will appear at the top right of the blue box. Click it to remove the blue box.)
Here's the point: Everyone is going to tell you that you can't do it and they'll probably give you a long list of reasons why. Some of them do it because, well, by keeping you down, they have more company. Some of them do it because, if you reach your dreams, they'll feel guilty about not having achieved theirs. Some of them will do it simply because they have been programmed to be that way by everyone they know.
Now, I'm not selling the philosophy that says that all we need is good self-esteem. That lie is suffocating our families and killing our country. (Did you know that a recent study showed that while U.S. students ranked last among participating nations in math and science, our students felt better about their math and science skills than any other country.)
What I am talking about is a belief that leads to action. A conviction that you were created for more than what has been. More than what is.
I'm reminded of Timaeus' son, whose story is told in the 10th chapter of Mark's gospel. He couldn't see. Never could. Darkness was all he had ever known. Blackness was all he saw. Begging was his lot in life and "he'd better damned well get used to it".
Then, he heard a ruckus. Sounded like a crowd. Not marching, but sort of swirling like a cyclone in his direction. "What's going on?" he must've shouted. A voice off to his right replied, "It's Jesus - - and a bunch of other folks." Well, the other folks were all well and good, but the one that Bartimaeus (which means, "son of Timaeus") was aiming for was Jesus: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Then, just as it had been all his life, it threatened to become, again.
"Be quiet, Bart."
"Mind your place, Bart."
"He's got important things to do, Bart."
Then, we read in verse 48 these words of hope, "But he shouted all the more."
And Jesus heard him. And Jesus called him. And Jesus healed him. And He delivered him from the darkness that, most assuredly, always had been. But by the gracious plan of God, was no more!
Hear me, my friend: God has more for you than the darkness you've known. Even more than you may be able to imagine. Do you believe it? Do you believe it with a belief that results in action? That changes what you do? If so - - keep it up! Don't quit!! Don't miss God's adventure that He has planned for your life.
That's a big Challenge.
And this is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis!
Doug
