the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
Professional football is pretty much in full swing with preseason schedules being played right now to determine who will be on the opening day rosters and who will wind up on the practice squad. So many players have been displaying flashes of brilliance to demonstrate that they belong. But let's face it, at this level everyone has talent or they wouldn't have made it to the preseason roster. Speed, size, strength; these are givens. The ability to use those attributes; that's what needs to be seen.
Most players coming out of high school are amazed at the speed of the college football game. It moves faster and happens faster. Kick it up one more notch for the professional level. It happens lightning quick on the fields of the National Football League. The ones who make it in the NFL are those who can deal with the sudden, the unexpected; and do it with poise. One of the biggest problems I see with these NFL wannabes is knowing where they are on the field.
What few times I have watched preseason games this year I have noticed something in particular. The rookies who were drafted and the unsigned free agents who weren't, along with the guys from the practice squads, are all struggling to remember where they are on the field at all times. Already I have seen third down and long situations that were not converted because receivers turned their routes in or out several yards short of first down yardage. It is much easier to catch the ball for a first down than it is to catch it and run for a first down. The yardage is secure at the point of reception.
The experienced players understand this truth and you will almost always see them catch the ball beyond the yardage needed for a first down. What about us? Where are we when God chooses to throw us the ball? Are we standing right near Him not trusting His power to bless or are we well down the field fully trusting that He can get us the ball at the right point so that we can catch it and be a blessing to keep the kingdom moving forward?
We need those moments where we can check our progress and ask ourselves where we are in our relationship with God. "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." 1 Corinthians 11:27, 28 Each Lord's Day we have an opportunity to check our progress in our relationship with God in the Lord's Supper, the communion. That examination helps us to realize that we are children of God by the blood of His Son. That's the right place on the field.
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' Copyright 2010 © Tom Kelley. 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to https://www.studylight.org/ 2) 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
