Football season is finally here!  Razorback fans are wearing the red and calling the hogs!  It’s the best time of the year for die hard football fanatics.  At this point, everyone has an optimistic outlook.  We know the Razorbacks can rack up a 12-0 record for the regular season.  At least in our discussions, they have the potential to be in the championship game on January 7 in New Orleans.  Through our glossy-eyed preseason enthusiasm we dream of a perfect team where quarterbacks and receivers never drop the ball and fans forever agree with the coaches.  Preseason feelings of loyalty and confidence are fun while they last.

            An optimistic attitude will impact every area of our life.  It energizes our spirit when we face third and long and the outlook is bleak.  Sooner or later though, the reality of our own imperfections posts an unexpected score.  Why?  Because there are no perfect players in the game of life (cf. Romans 3:10,23).  

            However, in Jesus Christ, you can experience a new season and renewed optimism!  “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17 NASB).  Through the cross of Christ, past fumbles, failures, and losses can be erased from the record.