I love to watch kids play sports. There’s an earnestness and vulnerability that you don’t find in pro sports. I watched a group of sixth grade boys walking off the football field after their game one Saturday. Number 14 caught my eye as he pushed through his teammates, obviously looking for someone. He searched through the sea of adult faces, then quickened his pace and called out, “Dad! Did you see me? Did you see the play I made?” His father reached out for him and said, “I saw you, son. You were great! I was so proud of you!”

It was obvious to me, that number 14 was playing to please just one person – his dad. And that’s how it should be for us as Christians. As we play our hearts out in the game of life, we do it not for the applause of the crowd, but to please our heavenly father.