Scenario: Titans vs. Giants; Giants have the ball. Adam Koets is playing as the Giants center (a pivotal point for the protection of the QB) and Eli Manning (Quarterback) is snapped the ball. The Titans are lined up against them, on their defensive A-game. Koets gets distracted for a moment by thoughts of the impending tackle from the Titans defensive. In that one moment, he's left vulnerable, and the Titans defense, trained specifically for that moment of weakness, moves in. They take down Koets, and move into attack Manning before he's able to get rid of the ball. After a few more plays, the ball is turned over to the Titans. Armed with an incredible offensive line and Quarterback, Vince Young. The Titans have no trouble overriding the flawed defense of the Giants. They go on to score, and ultimately win the game.
Compare this to what Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."
If you're having a hard time comparing them, let me help you out:
Above all else = Most importantly.
Guard (Defensive team/Center/Offensive Line) = "to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over."
Heart (Quarterback) = "the vital center and source of one's being, emotions and sensabilities."
Wellspring (The football) = "a source of continual supply."
Life (Leading score) = "the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body."
Now, what does this mean in my life?
Let me just preface this statement by saying, I know, I've not only been there, but I'm just now recovering, and trying to get the 'ball' back.
God commands Christians to keep their guard up. You loose the ball when you let your guard down, and if you don't have the ball, you can't win the game. I realized that recently. I wanted to play the game of life without a play book and a trained defense.
I've learned that in order to keep your guard up, you have to meditate in God's word all the time. It has to be deliberate and disciplined. Like football, you can't go up against a professional team without training. You'd be crushed instantly. Satan is a professional at what he does. He, like the Titans defensive line, looks for our moments of weakness, and takes them. He won't pass them up because he feels sorry for us, or wants to give us a break. That's not his job. Earlier this year, I let my guard down, and I learned how quickly Satan moves in and captures the ball. The football was no longer in my hands, and I was just trying to get by. I settled.
God's plan never includes settling for less. When we settle for less, no one but Satan wins. God lays down guidelines for our protection, and by ignoring them, we open ourselves up for hurt. This hurt can become a habitual pattern, one often we think we can't get out of, don't want to get out of, or feel like we deserve. These are all Satan's tactics. Our wellspring is cut off, and we are no longer alive. We become blinded by our sin. But, God and his grace is so much greater than that.
Ephesians 2:1-5 says,
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
God forgives because of his great love. He never desires his children to be separated from Him. He desires to be our guardian, and to protect us from Satan's tactics, that only leave us broken. I just think that's pretty incredible. :) Thank you, Jesus.
