I was recently watching a football game on TV. The home team had just scored on a methodical drive. I don't recall how many plays it took, but there were a number of quick and exciting plays on the drive. It was that type of scoring drive that seemed to take the wind out of the defense, figuratively and literally. Never before had I seen so many athletes huffing and puffing and looking defeated. This drive, coming on the heels of a previous failure of the visiting team, also seemed to strike doubt into the entire sideline of the visiting team. Fans with painted faces and jerseys stood or sat in stunned silence.
The silence and the despair seemed to become even more evident when the visiting team received the kick off. Only two plays into their next offensive drive and it was evident that the visitors were rattled and in jeopardy of being blown out. The momentum was against them. On first down the running back and quarterback were mixed up. On second down the quarterback was rushed and threw a poor pass that was uncatchable. Clearly, the home team was hungry and aggressive. The home crowd was loud and as obnoxious as fans could be. The stadium on the home side was rocking. The home team defense was jacked up and as angry as rabid dogs.
But in an instant that all changed.
The visiting offense was trapped deep in their own territory, facing a long 3rd down on the road, and already rattled. they were hoping to make it into half time to regroup. They came to the line for what looked like a routine and safe play. In fact it was an easy and routine play, until that is, one of the defenders had a mental lapse. It was like he took
one play off. As the receiver came across the field on a short route, I imagine he was surprised to realize that no defender was covering him and no one was back playing the safety position. Incredibly, he found himself behind the entire defense and wide open. After one well timed and well thrown pass and 50 plus yards later, there was a burst of new life breathed into the visiting team. The tide was turning and a sure thing was becoming as uncertain as the stock market.
This quick turn of events reminded me to pray and give thanks to God. Why? Well, I prayed that I, as well as all believers, would understand the danger of taking one play off. I pray that we would understand the danger of letting our guard down, or giving the devil a foot hold. I prayed that I would remember that I must be vigilant b/c my adversary is looking for someone who is taking a play off in their marriage, or their prayer life, or their bible study, or their thought life. I prayed that I would remember the importance of staying true and strong in the faith. And I gave thanks to God for this quick reminder of how even
one act of sin or
one lapse of judgment can have dangerous consequences.
Truth is, sometimes one play off can be the difference between a life and ministry of joy, service, love, favor, grace and flourishing and a ministry that flounders. Teach us God, to be vigilant.
