Third and a Mile

[H]e gives [gifts] to each one, just as he determines.
                              —1 Corinthians 12:11

Bum Phillips, known for his trademark cowboy hat and quick quips, coached the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1980. He had a punishing runner in Hall of Famer Earl Campbell; nobody wanted to get in front of that freight train.

Bum demanded a lot from his players. In preseason drills, they were required to run a mile to see if they were in shape. Earl couldn’t do it; wasn’t a distance guy.

Sports reporters could hardly wait to ask Bum how he was going to deal with his star player. Sure enough, it was the first question at the first news conference.

“If it’s third and a mile,” Bum said, “we won’t give him the ball.”

God wants you to do the best with what you have. All of that. But no more than that.

Don’t push to be the best at everything,
but push to put your best into everything you do.

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