Faith and Football: Staying in the Pocket

Last night, my 6^th ranked, West Virginia University Mountaineer football team was greatly humbled in defeat by the Iowa State Cyclones in Big 12 action.  After watching the 30-14 loss, I went to bed very disappointed.  My sadness returned when I awakened this morning and realized that it wasn’t a bad dream.  However, very soon, my thoughts became Spirit-directed as I realized how thankful I ought to be to begin another day of life.

Instead of a painful memory, the loss of the football game by WVU became a metaphor and a lesson for my own life.  Although I am far from an expert football analyst, it seemed clear to me that the 5-0 Mountaineer football team lost miserably to a 2-3 team because the Cyclones were successful in moving WVU away from their game plan in three ways.

Will Grier has nearly 2,000 offensive yards and 22 TD passes.

First, they forced our quarterback, Will Grier, to have to act under pressure, resulting in some poor executions.  As a Heisman Trophy candidate, Grier had come to Ames, Iowa to play like a winner.  But, instead of a sixth game in which Grier attained his average of over 300 offensive yards and 4 or 5 touchdown passes per game, he was limited by the Iowa State defense to 1 TD pass and 100 yards.  

A good quarterback leads because he comes prepared, exudes confidence, and demonstrates command of his offence in the face of the opposition. It is not for me to judge what caused Will's poor performance, but I am confident that he will bounce back next week.  As I try to imagine how painful it must be for Grier to watch the videos of the game, I know from experience how many times I have buckled under the pressures of life.  Maybe I was unprepared for the situation, or insensitive to others, or too proud to act or react in a humble way. I may have tried to protect my own interests or reputation rather than humbly giving honor to God or another person.  I cannot judge Will Grier, but in many of my cases, the source of problems is my pride.  Proverbs repeatedly warns us against a proud heart.  Proverbs 29: 23 states, A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

Second, the Cyclone defense forced our quarterback to move “out of the pocket.” Will Grier, like many quarterbacks, execute their best passing game when they stay in the pocket, a wall of protection that is formed around him by the offensive line.  The pocket is a safe place where the quarterback can stand, get a good read on the field, choose the best receiver, and deliver a pass that is on target.  However, in last night’s game, the Iowa State defense repeatedly attacked the offensive line so that Grier was forced to move out of the pocket where he was less effective in throwing, having to avoid being sacked. 

Quarterback Will Grier during one of too many sacks by ISU.

This morning, as I replayed in my mind the numerous offensive efforts in which Will Grier chose to leave the pocket, I began to see the spiritual application to my life.  Though I am not a quarterback, I have been a leader in my own home and in my family.  Reflecting back on my leadership, there have been many times that I reacted poorly under pressure “within the pocket” where God had placed me.  But, even worse, there have been times when I have “left the pocket” of God’s order for me as a husband and father, and have sought to “run the play” my own way.  But there is more to learn here.

Usually, the decisions of a quarterback are subject to input from a coach on the sidelines with occasional input from leaders in his offense.  All of his decisions must be made with respect to the rules of the game and situation at hand.  He is not free to operate as a “Lone Ranger” who takes matters into his own hands.  Likewise, when I see an opportunity to encourage or otherwise minister God’s truth and love to another person, I must be careful not to run ahead of God’s plan and purposes.  However, I have sometimes “left the pocket” of God’s protection, a pocket formed by biblical principles and people whom God has provided to help me.  When I have done this, I cannot “execute” in a way that honors God or that shows responsibility to my wife, family, friends, and others.  Then, it is time for "replaying the videos" of my actions, and where necessary, to repent and  make confession of my sin, and pursue forgiveness from God and the one(s) I have wronged.

For example, during my “retirement” chapter of life, I have been afforded more opportunities communicate with family and friends.  Some of my family are in situations brought on by poor decisions in earlier years.  I have watched some who have encountered illness and then died, not knowing what their eternal future will be.  Lest I act in disrespect of another person or seek to influence anyone in my own power, I have offered up many prayers for myself and for them. Yet, I still find it difficult to strike a balance between desiring to share my faith and the principles of life God reveals in Scripture while at the same time not being so zealous that I move “out of the pocket” of God’s order and timing for me.  The Apostle Paul writes (emphasis mine),

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died.  And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised (2 Corinthians 5: 14-15).

Although I believe my “compulsion” is a genuine derivative of God’s Spirit at work in me, I must learn to be a “team player” with Him while listening to the counsel of others.  Just as a successful quarterback earns the respect of his teammates, so I must remember my first responsibility is to God and to my wife and family.  Without their respect and without wise leadership in my home, my usefulness in God’s plan is in jeopardy.   

Finally, I realized a third lesson from offensive football.   West Virginia quarterback Grier must do even more than stay cool under pressure while he depends on his offensive line to protect the pocket.  He must also be discerning as he looks for eligible receivers.  Last night, the Cyclone defense neutralized our receivers by exerting tremendous coverage.  Hence, Grier was delayed in releasing his passes; and, this delay allowed the pocket to collapse, leaving him open to being sacked.

Again, the Apostle Paul expresses his zeal for sharing the love of Christ, in 1 Corinthians 9: 22 (NLT):

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

Like a quarterback, my zeal must show a proper balance between “passing” the Gospel message to family and friends while recognizing that not all loved ones are necessarily “eligible receivers,” at least at this point in time.  Like a quarterback, I may want to yell to receivers, “get open,” but I must remember that only God’s Spirit can open the hearts of others to receive.  As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4: 6 (NASB),

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

I must remember not to be a “little God” or “little Providence” in the lives of others.  As the psalmist realized, only God can change the heart of a person:

No man can by any means redeem his brother,
Or give to God a ransom for him—
For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever— (Psalm 49: 7-8)

In summary, my alma mater’s football loss will have some redeeming value for me, and maybe also for you the reader, if we are able to remember and apply several lessons from football strategies.  First, we must realize our total dependence on God if we are to have respected leadership in our homes and among family and friends.  We must spend time with God through prayer and reading of His Word so that we will be calm and poised under day-to-day pressures.  We must also put on the armor God provides (e.g. belt of truth, breastplate of God’s righteousness, helmet of salvation) so that His “pocket of protection” is secured around us against the fiery darts of Satan, the passions of our flesh, and the deceitfulness of our mind.  Finally, we must discern eligible receivers lest we run ahead of God’s Spirit, rely on our own power and plans, and end up disrespecting those who are not ready or yet called unto salvation.  The Apostle Peter’s charge is a fitting end to these lessons learned from a football team on their night of a disappointing loss:

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3: 14b-15 ESV).

LOVE: Part 2 – It’s “Out of this World”

Brett Kavanaugh and his family with Chief Justice Roberts.

Yesterday, American history and government were at the forefront of U.S. news as Judge Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in to become the newest justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  But this article is not simply about politics.  It is about what is increasingly absent from politics—and from our culture.  It is about LOVE.  It’s about what Hal David was lamenting about over one-half century ago when he wrote the lyrics to the song, “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”  Last month, in “LOVE: Part 1 - What the World Needs Most,” I responded to Hal David’s lyrics by noting that, according to the Bible, God has provided unlimited love.  The problem is we tend to look for love in the wrong places.

All of us want to be loved, but many enter relationships that end in selfishness, rejection, and abuse.  When we fail to find loving arms to embrace us through thick and thin, we settle for less in a pursuit of love in the wrong places.  For example, when Christine Blasey Ford’s letter alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh, many other hurt people looked to the U.S. Senate to rule against Judge Kavanaugh as a way of bringing an end to their hurt and the hurt of many others.  What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.  But the ultimate source of love is not the U.S. Senate or the U.S. Supreme Court.  In fact, love is not even from this world!

Imagine while you are out hiking that you spot an object with an eerie glow that radiates from what appears to be a machine with many complex parts.  What would you do with this alien-like phenomenon?  Your decision could change your whole life.

This imaginary scenario is not unlike what has happened to many of us who have had a personal, spiritual encounter with God.  We too have discovered something of great value--something that is not from this world.  It is God’s love.  But those of us who have discovered it did not do so because we were smarter, more handsome or beautiful, or more powerful.  In fact, we had heard the word “love” used in so many different contexts that it was humanly impossible for us to find it on our own.  Consider the following examples:

“I just love cherry pie.”
“I love it when I hear that song.”
“From the instant he first saw her, he loved her.”
“If you really loved me, you would/would not….”
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13)

“Love” can mean a strong preference for a certain dessert, or an emotional high we experience from music, or the passion that is stirred by physical attraction for the opposite sex.  Love can also be “leverage” to get our own way with another person. 

Thankfully, there is a “greater love” that represents more than a response to our favorite tastes, sounds, or sights; or the passion that motivates us to do selfish things.  The Apostle John defines ‘love’ from God’s perspective:  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15: 13).   This love is more than something that brings inner joy or a pleasurable feeling.  The Apostle John reveals that “greater love” becomes evident in the self-sacrificing behavior of a lover toward one who is loved—even to the point of death if necessary.

But where does this “greater love” come from?  Why is it that some people are overflowing with this love while others are very unloving and suspicious of anyone who offers to love them?  According to the Apostle John, this love ultimately comes from God (emphasis mine):

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (1 John 4: 7).

According to the Bible, love is an integral quality or attribute of God’s character and personal nature.  God’s love is expressed through many of His attributes including mercy, grace, and forgiveness—attributes that cause God to pursue a personal relationship with us earthlings.  God assures us of His great love for us by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, His greatest “Love Gift,” to die on a Roman cross to purchase us for eternity. 

God’s unselfish, sacrificial love for His creation and for mankind is expressed in the Greco-Christian word, agape.  Jesus explained that God so (agape) loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus] that whoever believes in Him should not perish [be separated from God forever] but have everlasting life (John 3: 16).

Jesus and His followers used a second Greek word for love.  The word phileo means “brotherly love,” the generous and affectionate love that seeks to make a dear friend happy with no expectation for the kindness to be returned.   In 1 Samuel 18: 1-3, we see phileo love on display in the friendship of David and Jonathan where we read that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. …then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”

A third Greek word for love, eros, refers to the physical attraction that arises from our God-given capacity for romantic and sexual feelings.  Although the word eros does not appear in the Bible, the Scriptures do include very clear teaching about physical love and sexuality between a husband and wife.  The best example is found in a book by Solomon, called “Song of Solomon.”

Both phileo (brotherly love) and agape (sacrificial love) were used to describe the love of the Father for His Son Jesus; and, to describe the love Jesus has for His followers.  In John 3: 35, Jesus declares, “The Father (agape) loves the Son….”  But, in John 5: 20, Jesus is recorded as saying, “The Father (phileo) loves the Son….”  Think about this!  Before the beginning of time, God the Father (phileo) loved His Son Jesus as a “dear friend or brother;” and, the Father (agape) loved the Son, sacrificially and unconditionally.

When the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth, He was sending the very embodiment of agape and phileo love.  Jesus expressed this love as He built relationships with His disciples and others.  The Apostle John under inspiration of the Holy Spirit humbly uses both Greek expressions of love when he describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (agape, John 13: 23; phileo, John 20: 2).  Many years later, an aged John wrote, See [Just look!] what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are (1 John 3: 1)!

So far, we have defined love on the basis of the original Greek language from which we received the New Testament.  We have also noted that this love originates from God, not from us.  The Apostle John knew first hand and wrote about this love the Father has lavished on us…(1 John 3: 1).”  This love of God can transform even the most hateful person into a loving person by a total, spiritual change in his or her disposition.  How is this possible?

No one is “made loving” without a responsibility or action on his or her part.  This is because love is a quality of relationship.  Phileo and agape love are only realized between two or more persons.  Because love is from God, when God speaks through His Word and the Person of His Holy Spirit to an unloving, self-centered person, the person must choose whether or not to respond to God’s love.  But how does God’s love actually bring about this transformation? 

Romans 6: 4 states, Therefore we have been buried with Him [Christ] through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

When a person responds in faith to God’s “Love Gift” of salvation from sin, he or she surrenders their self-centered life and is “born again” with a new heredity.  He or she is delivered from the penalty of the sin nature and becomes a “child of God” (John 1: 12).  The love that God lavishes upon the child of God ignites their spirit within to respond to God’s Spirit.  The person is drawn to love and obey God—i.e. to become a disciple, or “Christ-follower.”  God’s Spirit, in turn, enables Christ-followers to commune with the Father in Heaven, and to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12: 30).   Romans 8: 15 teaches that we have …received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  This expression is like that of a girl or boy saying “Daddy, Daddy” to their earthly father.  This tender intimacy, formed by shared agape and phileo love, is sustained through regular Scripture-fed, Spirit-led prayer.  In this way, the very life and love of God is nourished in us.

To summarize, in “LOVE: Part 1,” we emphasized that we need to stop looking for love in the wrong places and recognize that there is a “greater, sweeter love” freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2: 12).  God’s love comes from “another world” as expressed through the Life of His Son, Jesus.  But unlike the alien machine in our imaginary story, we discover God’s love when we encounter that crudely fashioned, splintery, wooden cross on which Christ gave His life so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit… (1 Peter 3: 18).  There we find the true loving arms of God stretched out to embrace us.  There, we find the true love that cannot be found through politics, government, or social justice movements, important as they may be.

At the cross, we are freed from the curse of sin and embraced by God’s transforming power and love.  Personally, I do not want to forget the warmth and relief I found in God’s love and forgiveness when the Living Christ and His cross became real to me.  In “LOVE: Part 3 - Because He First Loved Us,” we will examine how it is that a Christ-follower becomes both a lover of God and lover of others.