Tag Archives: Rudy

Engaging Our Culture: January 23-Seize the Day

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1993 film “Rudy”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is, Ephesians 5:15-17.

Biblical Connection:

Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger spent two years of his life studying and working harder than ever before. At this point in the movie, Rudy had gotten his GPA up high enough to be accepted at the University of Notre Dame. Upon arriving on campus, Rudy punishes his body day after day, making the football as a walk on. Yet, Rudy’s life didn’t turn out the way he had planned so he quit his lifelong dream. This sets the stage for a mentor to speak truth into his life. Charles Dutton plays Fortune who shares advice to encourage Rudy from making the same mistake as he did in the past.

In a letter to the Church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul is trying to impress upon first century Christians a sense of urgency. The Greek word Paul uses in verse 16 translates into redeeming time. Although Carpe Diem, seize the day, is not found in this passage, Paul alludes to this principle. Every day human beings are faced with choices and decisions that need to be made. According to Moses, choices either lead to life or death, Deuteronomy 30:15-17. Therefore, don’t let emotions dictate your decisions. Instead, be wise by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit to see God’s will out.

Closing Song:

As you renew your mind with the words of the Bible, Romans 12:2, God’s will for your life will begin to come into focus. Resist the urge to quit as progress in your faith journey is the process of arriving.

by Jay Mankus

Around the Next Corner

I’ve never been known as a quitter, but the mystery of the future is hard to endure when life isn’t playing out as you expected.  Influenced by instant success early on, I assumed there wouldn’t be surprises around the next corner, causing you to want to turn around or head off in a different direction.  Saturday was one of those days, as impatience brought me to a ledge of despair.  Just as I was about to give up, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance.

Galatians 6:9-10 contains a similar message to those who begin to think, “what’s the point; why should I waste my time doing good when nothing seems to change?”  This mindset is like the parable of weeds, Matthew 13:24-30, sowed by the devil, trying to convince souls their short term effort isn’t worth the long term gains.  This explains why so many so called Christians fall away from God during their college years, illustrated by the 2014 movie God is Not Dead, with one foot in the world and the other trying to remember what the Bible says.  Perhaps, Jesus’ younger brother was right, writing, “nobody knows what’s around the next corner in life,” James 4:14.

As for me, I was frustrated by a lack of progress at work.  Like Charles Dutton, the janitor at Irish Stadium in the movie Rudy, I allowed bitterness get the best of me.  These negative thoughts prevented me from seeing around the next corner, a compliment and reward for my hard work.  Thus, what started off as a bad day in my view, changed in an instance.  Therefore, don’t let your mind blind you from the gifts from above waiting for you in the future, James 1:17-18.  I look forward to hearing what the Lord is doing in the lives of his children around the next corner.

by Jay Mankus