Everyone loves a Game 7 in sports and thanks to the Boston Bruins win last night, we will see one this Wednesday as they take on the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Bruins, of course, needed last night’s win to extend the series. We could discuss different reasons for why they won the game, but let’s consider what actually inspired them to execute the way they did.
Many of the Bruins players pointed to the pregame speech by alternate captain, Patrice Bergeron, as setting the tone and igniting them.
Matt Porter from the Boston Globe wrote in his article, “One of the greatest Bruins poured his heart onto the floor in front of his teammates, with the Stanley Cup in the building, as they prepared to keep their season alive.
“Bergeron didn’t produce a point in Boston’s 5-1 trouncing of St. Louis in Game 6 Sunday, but his teammates turned his words into furious action, playing their best game of the series at the most critical time.”
Left winger, Jake DeBrusk said, “It made us all want to run through a wall.”
And Defenseman Charlie McAvoy added, “It was exactly what we needed, and he stepped up. When he talks, you listen.”
We’ve seen the great inspirational speeches in sports movies or heard about the ones like last night, and we know in order for the team to really respond to words, they must respect and believe in the one speaking. McAvoy made it clear that “when he (Bergeron) talks, you listen.”
I doubt many of us hear “pregame speeches” in our everyday lives, but what if we viewed Jesus’ words that way? When He talks, do we really listen?
Do His teachings, sayings, and “pregame speeches” cause us to “turn His words into furious action?” Do we respect and believe in what He says so that we actually respond to His words? Are we willing to run through a wall for Him, so to speak?
Bergeron “poured his heart onto the floor in front of his teammates” and his teammates responded in a huge way. Jesus, on the other hand, poured everything out, making the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross for us. He then inspired His disciples and they responded in a huge way.
The “pregame speeches” Jesus gave them while He walked the earth still ring true for us today. He gives us clear instruction in the Bible, so when He talks do we listen?
Let’s be challenged to hear the following verses like a “pregame speech” and allow Jesus’ words to inspire us to live for Him and go out into this world and truly give all we have:
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; NIV).
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33; NIV).
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself”’ (Matthew 22:37-40; NIV).
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19; NIV).
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”(Matthew 19:26).
Let’s go!! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to pay my punishment on the cross. I’m also grateful for His words and the power behind them. I pray I would take to heart what He spoke and live with a strong passion to turn them into action. Please give me the strength to do so. I pray this in His name, Amen.
