4498
I wrote a previous devotion entitled Look
for That One. I’m taken up with the themes of Dreams, and Discipleship. They
just naturally go together like peaches and cream.
No one I know better exemplifies the
verse, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen,” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV), more than Rudy Ruettiger. You may have
seen the depiction of his life in the movie, Rudy.
Rudy was a working class young man with a
generational predisposition to work in the steel mills; like his father before
him. His family was Catholic, and they had a ardent devotion for the University
of Notre Dame, and its wonderful football team. But, that’s as far as it went;
looking on from afar, and “knowing your place.”
Even for his average grades in high
school, and “five foot nothing” frame, Rudy had a dream; a dream that
would not be denied. In the movie we see the young man promising himself, and
anyone else who’d listen, that he would not only be accepted into that
university, but play footfall for them. Again, and again, he was laughed at,
put down, and generally disbelieved.
But, there’s always someone who seems to
come along side, and stand with us in the shadows; (At least that’s been my
experience). Pete was Rudy’s best friend, just another working class kind of
guy; someone destined to work in the mills all his life. But, Pete was that
sort of guy who stood with his “little buddy.” In the movie version of Rudy’s
life, we see Pete giving him an old Notre Dame jacket. After Rudy dons the
jacket, his friend says, “That jacket was made for you!” To which Rudy
responds, “Pete, you’re the only one who ever believed in me.”
Rudy surprises everyone, (except Pete of
course). He enrolls in Holy Cross Junior College; just across the river from
Notre Dame. The little man submits himself to an academic discipline that he’d
never attempted. He exercises his body, and tempers his mind on a daily, and
unceasing basis.
In
the meantime, Rudy applies, again, and again to Notre Dame; only to again, and
again be refused admission.
However, those at the grand old school had
no concept of Rudy’s determination. He must have used a ream of enrollment
applications. But this time was different.
Rudy sits there, just across the river
from that great university. His hands tremble, as they have trembled several
times before, and he unseals the envelope. Slowly, the camera turns from a
weeping Rudy to the towering fortress called Notre Dame. He has finally been accepted!
Now, that would have been enough for most
of us, but Rudy was not most of us. His determination gains a hundred pounds
that day! The little man that couldn’t…could!
Time would fail
me to properly tell the story, but now the second half of his vision kicks in.
Rudy set his sights on an oblong ball, and a stadium “as big as all outdoors.”
You would have had to have known Rudy. Nothing
seemed to deter him. Oh sure, he’d managed to go to a prestigious school, and
make passing grades, but “this little shrimp” of a boy had no possibility of
playing on a football team that consisted of giants. However, if you thought
this, you would be… wrong.
Rudy tries out, and impresses the coaches
with his stamina, “sheer intestines,” and the
lack of any natural ability. The coaches quarrel among themselves. before
giving Rudy an opportunity to join the practice team. At least, he will have a
chance to “mix it up” with the best in college football. However, that still isn’t enough for little Rudy.
Now I can’t tell you that he didn’t make a
few enemies, or make the average players look mediocre. He did. Not for his
ability, but for his gumption. For on the practice field, though not as often
as he might hope, Rudy will manage to tackle a huge offensive linesman, or
swift quarterback.
Rudy longs for the opportunity to play in at
least one season; if in only one game of that season. (At Notre Dame, a player
isn’t listed as an official team member, unless they “dress out” for one game).
It is Rudy’s
senior year, and it doesn’t look like he’d have a chance to dress out. The
previous coach promised him the opportunity, but he is gone now, and the years
have drifted by. The last game of his senior year approaches.
Suddenly, the biggest, and baddest of his
team members find their hearts changed towards the young “whipper snapper,” who
tries so hard, but who lacks so much. The roster for the final game is posted…
and he isn’t on it. The players talk
among themselves, and come up with a plan. One by one, beginning with the team
captain, each player walks into the coach’s office, and lay their shirts on his
desk.
One by one their words echoed the last…
“Coach, Rudy deserves my spot in this game. Let him dress out in my place.” The
coach was almost moved to tears. Rudy dresses out!
The game proceeds, and Rudy warms the
bench. Notre Dame is leading Georgia Tech by over twenty points, and the coach
seems content for his team to hold the ball during the last remaining seconds. However,
“the Fighting Irish” have other ideas.
The ball is thrown, and the ball is
received, and the great old school have scored another touchdown. When it seems
all hope is lost, suddenly “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy” resounds throughout the stadium.
The little man will not be denied his small moment in history. The coach gives
the nod, and Rudy runs out into the field of battle.
The little
fella with the magnificent heart runs two plays this day; the last two plays in
the game. In the last play of his last game, he tackles the offensive receiver
before the whistle finalizes the game forever. It was decades ago, but to this
day Rudy is the last player ever carried off that famous field; on the
shoulders of his team members.
Dreams and
Discipleship. Rudy had a Dream. He believed when almost no one else did. Rudy
is remembered. His friend Pete has been forgotten. But, it was Pete who
believed in him, when no one else did. Pete had been Rudy’s first, albeit
momentary mentor. He believed in him for a little while, and that set the sails
of his entire life.
I love, and choose to emulate the
qualities of both Rudy and Pete. Like
Pete, I am raising up disciples; those who would submit themselves to
discipline, and the encouragement that is mine to give. Like Rudy, I dream
Dreams; some known to all, and some which remain unknown to any, except myself.
Like Rudy, my life has been difficult, and
things have been slow “coming to me.” But, I follow after, and press towards
the mark. Like Pete, I, and many like me, remain unknown. However, that has to
be alright, if we are to influence a few, and win some.
Rudy and
Pete have some extraordinary, and eternal lessons to teach us, if we will watch
and listen.
