Vince Lombardi’s 100th Birthday Comes on June 11

Drawn to Vince, lately. I know of no man in my lifetime who has exhibited greater force of leadership, to involve one’s fellows in focused and energized preparation, execution, and victory. Maybe Norman Schwarzkopf and John Wooten are among those who rank with him.

Just found out the 100th anniversary of Vince Lombardi’s birth comes in one week. He was born on June 11th, 1913, a time when our very special nation was suffering great harm, seeds of gross corruption which have now been coming to fruition as never before.

The difference between men is not lack of strength, not lack of knowledge, but rather, lack of will. But the new leadership is in sacrifice, it is in self denial, it is in love, it is in loyalty, it is in fearlessness and humility, and it is in the perfectly disciplined will. This is not only the difference between men, this is the difference between great and little men.

Photo from Green Bay Press Gazette, packernews.com

And here are other words, which tell of the source of the coach’s ability to lead.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [trainability], self-control….”
– Paul, to the Galatians (NKJV)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'”
– Jesus, Leader and New Covenant, in the Gospel of Matthew (NKJV)

“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In His name the nations will put their hope.”
– The Gospel of Matthew referring to the prophecy of Isaiah about Jesus Christ (NIV)

In times of crisis it is a common impulse to look for a strong leader, to “bail us out.”  But if we merely do that, today, what does it say about us? We citizens of the United States of America are all leaders, who must give an account of what we did with our sovereignty. That is in the Bible, too. Let’s lead in the greatness delivered to us, and not be little men.

For further words of Jesus Christ about the virtues necessary to be a true force for His greatness, in spirit and in truth in the contests of warfare, Matthew chapters 10 and 11 are also offered. His own example is preeminent (and He also refers to his greatest prophet, John the Baptizer).