Are You Playing Offense or Defense?

I’ve made several touchdowns lately. Life feels pretty good. In fact, things are going so well that Joy and I are planning a celebration dinner. After all, we’ve worked hard and deserve it, right? Standing in the end zone, I hold the football in the air and strut a victory dance.

Unfair Penalty

Out of nowhere, a member of the opposing team rushes me, tackles me to the ground, and I fumble the ball.  Where did that come from? Where’s the ref? Was there a flag thrown? Cause that was a safety 2-point penalty.

Two Options

Here I am assessing my wounds; not sure how to proceed. Offense and Defense each present a game plan.  Offense reminds me this was unfair for that team to not receive a penalty point, and I should challenge the ref. Pride agrees. After all, she is the one who has a huge raspberry on her elbow and a bruise on her left butt cheek.

Defense, however, has a different approach. He introduces me to Forgiveness and Grace. They remind me that my battle is not with flesh but with the unseen spirit world. After shaking hands with them I realize I have a choice to make.

I’d much rather not be put in this predicament, but here I sit. I take a deep breath and start strategizing my next move.

I call a timeout.

Faith Replaced Doubt as Coach

I kick Doubt out of the coach’s seat and invite Faith to replace him.

I know, with my whole heart, that it is Satan’s finest hour to get me to choose to play Offense. To hand me the self-righteous ball and pave the way for Pride to shine. Her eyes glisten at the thought as she rubs her right elbow. Satan’s desire is to get me to believe I am all alone. That would be his Touchdown!

I am Not Alone

I am reminded by Faith and Defense that I am not alone. God will never leave me. I look up from our timeout huddle and realize I’m surrounded by a whole team. I wave them over to join the huddle and together we form a new game plan.

I hand Jesus the ball. I announce Him as the new Quarterback and bench myself. I watch from the sidelines. Humility hands me a Power Aide and together, we cheer them to victory.

Trust hikes the ball to Jesus. He spirals it to Integrity who then sprints past Shame with the ball tucked in under his left arm. Guilt attempts a foot tackle but misses. Integrity jumps over Guilt with ease and runs into the end zone for yet another touchdown.

This time, Jesus does the victory dance. The opposing team? They don’t dare rush Him!