I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Lou Holtz and Jack Easterby are two interesting and inspiring men. Lou Holtz is a high profile TV commentator and former coach of the Notre Dame Football team that won a national championship. Jack Easterby was recently hired by the New England Patriots, in a spiritual guidance capacity, and was described by someone in the Patriot organization as a Lou Holtz on steroids.

During his Notre Dame days, Lou Holtz was quoted as saying, “Do what’s right! Do the best you can and treat others the way you want to be treated, because they will ask three questions: 1) Can I trust you? 2) Do you believe in this? Are you committed to this—have a passion for this? 3) Do you care about me as a person? If the people around you can answer yes to all three of those questions, then you have a very good chance of making an impact on their lives.

Jack Easterby has a career dedicated to encouraging and motivating others to reach their full potential. In one of his presentations, he shares five things necessary to be a champion, truly excellent and a cut above the rest. He identifies the following: 1) Know the why of your life – the reason you do what you do and the passion behind it all. 2) Eliminate entitlements – Be humble, grateful and persevering, and don’t rest on laurels, past achievements or what you think you deserve. 3) Give your all, all the time; have a faithful tenaciousness! 4) Do ordinary things extraordinarily well—positive attitude in attention to duty, obligation, and details. 5) Finish what you start—full, not partial dedication gets it done.

Both of these men have fed off the greatest champion of all and to whom they give ultimate credit for their own development and conclusions – His name is Jesus Christ. Along with the rest of us who believe, Jesus wins their debate of the greatest champion and reference of all time.

What other champion has as a resume with the attribute of seeking and feeding the deepest needs of all that confess they are disoriented and lost in life? Who else fed and healed, and in Gethsemane kneeled, to earn His ultimate crown? Who else competed alone with no TV coverage until sin, Satan, the grave and death were defeated in resurrecting glory?

We can thank God for Lou Holtz and Jack Easterby. These two inspirational messengers help us integrate their insights in assessing our own personal development and conclusions:
1) Can I trust the Lord? 2) Am I committed to Him in a passionate way? 3) Do I care about Him in a personal way? 4) Do I know why I was born? 5) Am I thankful or entitled? 6) Do I give my all – all the time? 7) Do I do ordinary things in an extraordinary way? 8) Do I finish what I start?

As individuals, can we answer yes to the first three questions, and respond in a God-pleasing way to the last five? If so, then we have a Biblical assurance of a Holy-Spirited impact on and in our lives. If not, because of His amazing mercy and grace we can repent, ask for forgiveness and start afresh.

Family and friends, for all of us who personally call on His name and have His promise of eternal life, our greatest champion is our awesome God, the One and Only, Jesus Christ!

Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Phil 2:13; Matt 6:33, Prov 3:5-6

References:

360-Degree Leader – Dr. John Maxwell, Pg. 168.

Jack Easterby on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZn2tshx_iE

The Greatest Champion – A Poem by Jack Easterby