"Hoosiers", released in 1986 starring Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, is a story of forgiveness. It is a tale second chances. It's a reminder to us all not to fall prey to the fallacy that the haves will always get more and the have-nots will perish without. But it's also a reminder of another vital characteristic of Christian faith.
In the movie, Coach Dale takes the helm of a high school team in little Hickory, Indiana. Dale, formerly a college coach in New York, had been suspended by that state for striking one of his own players. After Dale spends ten years in the Navy, an old friend offers him a fresh start in coaching.
The season for the small-town Hickory Huskers is very loosely based on the true account of the 1954 Milan Indians. In the movie, Coach Dale takes over the team amidst a hail of criticism from the townsfolk. His military-like discipline wins him no friends and it appears his stay in Hickory may be short - and turbulent.
As the team prepares for their first game, we get a look in the Huskers locker room. Coach Dale concludes his pre-game reminders, then the town preacher prays. The team bolts to their feet and heads for the court. That is, except for one. Strap - the preacher's kid. And while most of the team is out the door, Strap still kneels, head bowed, praying. Coach Dale hollers, "Hold it up. Hold on. Strap?" No response. Then, looking at one of Strap's teammates Dale asks, "How long's he gonna go on like this?" "I dunno. He'll come when he's ready - not before." So, with Strap still on his knees, teammate and coach head for the door with Coach Dale mumbling, "I hope that'll be sometime before tip-off."
The season rolls on. As it does, tiny Hickory, though not without their stumbles, gets into a winning rhythm. Tournament time comes and the winning beat goes on for the Huskers. Game after game, Strap seems to do most of his work from the bench. Then, in the District Final, one of his teammates is injured. Coach Dale's competitive fire burns to win and keep the bleeding youngster in the game. But things have changed. Watch this:
God wants you on the floor, too. Following Jesus Christ takes action. It's more, so much more, than hymns, prayer, and sitting through a sermon. Yet, that is what we errantly call a "Church Service". God forbid that we come to accept such a reduced caricature of a Christian's life!
Church is not a meeting. It's people. People who realize they need encouragement and help from others on their common journey following Jesus. And church is not an organization. Oh, hopefully there is some organization to it. But the church is an organism. A living, breathing, active entity. And that brings us back to Coach Dale's piercing exhortation to Strap, and to us all: God wants you on the floor.
God isn't calling you to a boring life on the sidelines. He wants you in the midst of the game. Where you can feel His strength. Where He charges you to participate and contribute to what He is doing in this world. This isn't a calling for cowards. It's for those who would answer Jesus' call to follow. And that answer cannot be sluggishly mouthed with mere words. It must be eloquently and energetically pronounced in sentences and chapters of active involvement.
God wants you in the game!
There's the challenge. This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
