Friday, January 7, 2021
Blindsided
In football, a receiver catches the quarterback’s pass, secures the ball, then runs for the goal line. His teammates legally block defensive tacklers to protect and make way for their ball carrier. The opposing team does all it can to catch that receiver and keep him from meeting his objective. Sometimes a confident ball carrier is blindsided and taken down, despite teammates running interference for him.
Ever been blindsided? It can be financial, vocational, physical, emotional. It’s like hitting a brick wall. When a Christian is running his race, any hit becomes a spiritual one. We think we’ve settled something in our minds or hearts, then ”that something” rears its ugly head. It challenges our faith, tries our patience, or tests our faithfulness. When the problem looms higher than life itself, we are most susceptible to forget about the goal ahead. All our energy and mental capabilities is spent dealing with this interruption. Before we know it, we are sitting on the sidelines. Aggravated. Confused. Weary.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.
Galatians 5:7-10
In Galatia, Paul saw people he had led to Christ being tripped up by another’s false teaching. He knew how to run interference for fellow Christians. He stood on the truth of Christ and did a bit of cheerleading: “I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.”
Christ lives in our hearts. When we turn to, and rely upon Him, He meets our need and provides a way to accomplish what He calls us to do. He gives us clarity and discernment. Most times in football, the ball carrier is brought down before he makes the touchdown. However, those who run interference often are successful enough to help the runner make a first down. With a first down, the runner gives his team four more tries at the goal. So he gets up, and starts all over again.
Have you hit a brick wall? Remember Jesus is with you, in you. He is your advocate, the propitiation of your faith, your Redeemer. Will you get up one more time? Is He calling you to run for the goal? Do you know someone who needs you to run interference, to block the forces that seek to wear them down? Whatever God calls us to do, Paul gives words of encouragement: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Gal. 5:13-14 A single command, love.
Lord, thank you for giving us the opportunity to get up. Let us be ever mindful that You, Lord, are in us, giving us freedom to move away from our sinful nature.
