Football life...

By Belinda Kirk.

You might not believe it, but I could scream and “holler” with the best of ‘em! My voice carried loud and long, so much so that even my own family didn’t want to be anywhere close when a game got underway. Of course, it was always nice “hollering.” No, really, it was - encouraging words to my boys and their teammates, especially when everything seemed its bleakest. Oh, the good times…oh, the memories…oh, the lessons learned from those days standing in the bleachers alone.

I’m reminded of one particular lesson that still looms large in my life, even today. It was the first game of the season for my oldest son. Alex was playing on the offensive line. It was his job to open the “lane” through the defenders, so that the guy with the ball (the running back - RB) could advance down the field.

The play began. As planned, the quarterback handed it off to the RB, who immediately began his journey towards my son. Alex played his position well and successfully blocked the first defender to open the “lane” for his teammate to traverse. Whoo-hoo!!! But…the play wasn't over! While still continuing to push off the first defender, Alex noticed yet another defender. This one planned to take a path around Alex and make the tackle. Alex knew what he to do. Keeping his left hand on the shoulder pads of his first opponent, he reached out with his right hand and pushed away the second defender. This thwarted the tackle and allowed the RB to come through the "lane" that Alex had created. The ball carrier then flew down the field and finished the play with a touchdown. After the game, I told Alex I thought he played "smart ball" and recounted the play I just described to you. I told him that I noticed his teammate followed his lead. Alex replied in a nonchalant fashion: "That's because I told him to 'Follow me.'" Thoughts and pictures flooded my mind. I pictured the players in the huddle as the quarterback called THAT play...the play where the ball would be handed off to the RB, who would head down Alex's side of the field. I pictured Alex then looking intently at his buddy and saying, "Just follow me." All the sudden, my thoughts and pictures morphed and became spiritual in nature. I could almost hear the latter part of Is. 43:19 being spoken deep into my being. God will "even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert."

Lesson learned!!! God makes “lanes!” He makes paths through the wildest and most dangerous times in our lives…fighting defenders and opening pathways. "Just follow Me," He says, as He pushes obstacle after obstacle out of the way, defending as any good big Brother would. “Just follow Me,” He says, as He recognizes and is familiar with all aspects of this game - able to protect from unseen opponents attempting to block, hinder, or stop forward progress altogether.

“Just follow Me,” He says. The question is…will we? Will we trust God to do the impossible? Will we believe that He can and will deliver? Will we choose to follow His lead in the lane He creates?

I challenge you…and me…JUST FOLLOW HIM! You know why? Because…that’s when the lanes appear! That’s when the paths that have seemed blocked and impenetrable burst open in front of us. That’s when those impossible situations meet a possible God. That’s when our faith grows stronger and our trust in Him runs deeper than ever before.

Now THAT’S something to HOLLER about! I praise You, today, Father, that You have made a way and will continue to make a way for me! I praise You ahead of time for the “lane” that I can’t clearly see yet. It’s there, Lord. I trust You to make it there…for nothing is impossible to You. Thank You, Father. Thank You.