No Blood, No Glory

There is nothing like playoff hockey. It is fascinating to watch the players lay their bodies on the line, whether it is to block a shot or take a hit to make a play. One example of this is Duncan Keith, a defenseman of the Chicago Blackhawks who lost 7 teeth on his journey to the 2013 Stanley Cup. He displayed this yet again just 2 years later by playing through a torn meniscus, eventually winning the Stanley Cup and taking home the Conn Smyth for the MVP of the playoffs. There are several players who battle and play through injury throughout the Stanley Cup in hopes of their names being etched forever on the greatest trophy in all sports. It is the ultimate testament of grit and sacrifice that players are willing to do to lay it all out there and leave everything on the ice, even if it means shedding some blood and battling through all the pain. It is a selfless act that some players display so their team will ultimately have their names written in history.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lays down his life for his friends”. Over 2000 years ago, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by laying it all on the line and shedding His blood for those who believed in Him would receive the ultimate reward, and their names would be forever etched into the Book of Life. Without the blood Christ shed to pay for our sins, we would be destined to punishment, but we have a Savior who loves us, who wanted to share the glory with us in heaven. The work has already been finished. Let it be a reminder that while the pain may be temporary, when we submit our lives to our Lord and Savior, we get to experience eternal glory with our Father in heaven.

• Who in your life can you serve today?
• What can you sacrifice today to serve someone else in need? (ie. Buy a meal for the homeless, clean your room instead of your mom, etc.)