Some Tough Odds

The following story appeared on the ESPN website.

OSCODA, Mich. -- The Oscoda Area High School football team hasn't won a game, or even scored a point, in four games this season. Because of that, the school district has decided to cancel the remaining games.Despite pleas from players and parents, the board recently upheld the school's earlier decision to end the season, saying players risked injury in trying to take on much stronger opponents.

"When you go to a game on Friday night and see a team physically dominated, those are the indisputable facts," coach Kyle Tobin said.

"Seniors, I feel for you. There's nothing I can say other than I'm sorry," board member Neal Sweet said. "But you're not quitters. You went out there and did your best."

Tobin said the team was not physically competitive, had too few players and faced a tough schedule in the North East Michigan Conference, The Bay City Times reported.

Senior quarterback Mike Gondek pleaded with the school board to reconsider the school's Sept. 19 decision to cancel the remaining games.

"All I ever wanted to do was play football," Gondek said. "My teammates never felt so unsafe that we didn't want to be out there."

Tobin, a first-year coach, defended his decision.

"I have 28 years of coaching experience in high school and college, and I know the difference between a team playing bad and a team that's unsafe," he said.

I feel sorry for these kids. The Oscoda football team tried, but just couldn't overcome the odds. When I read this story, I thought about several things, but one thought that kind of stuck in my mind was when Jesus sent the Apostles out. In Matthew 10:16ff, Jesus said:

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and scourge you in their synagogues; and you shall even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles...do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak...And you will be hated by all on account of My name,...But whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes.

That sounds like pretty tough "odds", but the Apostles went out and took the Gospel, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. They were treated badly, just like Jesus said they would be. Most of them died because of their message. Football isn't near as important as taking the Good News to a dying world. The Oscoda football coach made a tough decision to end the season early. I'm thankful the Apostles were able to "overcome the odds" and I'm glad they didn't quit before the end of the season.

Rev 3:5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.