"Flag on the play"

So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2nd Timothy 3:17

In the game of football nothing is more exciting than a long touchdown pass or a long touchdown run, unless there is a penalty that negates the score. While the team is celebrating the touchdown the coaches are always looking for the yellow flag on the field. It is comforting to quickly scan the field and find no yellow flags on the ground. But there is nothing more demoralizing to a coach and the team than to hear the words, “Flag on the play”.

Without the yellow flags thrown by the referees, the games would be total chaos. As a coach, I know there is a constant battle between coaches and referees. For every call they make, one coach thinks he is brilliant and the other thinks he is the most ignorant person on the planet. But, I also know that only with the rules of the game can the players be protected from many terrible injuries. The rules allow the game to continue play after play. Without the rules, the game would stop every time one player became angry with another. And without the rules of how a player should conduct himself on the field, the young men would never learn the many difficult and valuable lessons of football. I have often found it ironic that the young men on the field, involved in an emotional and intense game, are expected to conduct themselves much more appropriately than the adults in the stands. On most Friday nights around this country, the people watching the contest, could learn many valuable lessons from the young people involved.

What if our world had people walking around, dressed in referee uniforms and throwing yellow flags for each inappropriate action, word, or thought? In those moments, when someone is stretching the truth about themselves to impress a potential employer, the referee could throw the flag at them. He would announce in front of everyone, “Personal foul. Making yourself sound better than you really are! 15 yard penalty and loss of job”. What if every time an inappropriate word came from our mouths or while we were gossiping about someone, a yellow flag was thrown? The referee would say, “Trying to make yourself look good by tearing someone else down! 15 yard penalty and loss of respect”. Worst of all, what if a yellow flag was thrown at us for each thought we allowed to dwell in our mind that is not pleasing to God? I am afraid the referee would hurt his shoulder throwing so many flags at me!

The young men on the field on Friday nights, have within them, the mental toughness, emotional control, and the discipline to play the game and represent themselves according to the rules. They have been equipped with these tools and because of them, they are capable of playing the game of football. The players who do not possess these skills usually find themselves on the sidelines. As Christians, we are also thoroughly equipped with the skills and strengths necessary to live each moment for our Lord and Savior. Sure, there will always be those moments and situations in life that cause us to become angry, lose our temper, or say things we regret later. But, just like the football player who has to play an emotional game without allowing his emotions to control his actions, we also have to do the same in our lives. In those moments when all around us are becoming angry, reacting inappropriately to a situation, or allowing selfish desires to control their actions, we have to step back and ask God how He wants His Son to be revealed through us. I believe God uses every moment of our lives, both big and small, to teach us to trust Him more, how to show His Son more in our lives, and to draw someone closer to Him. When we look at our lives as thousands of tiny moments, created by Him, we begin to respond to people in a better way. We are equipped with everything we need for every moment of our lives.


Chad