Jesus is my Quarterback

When my grandpa was 82 years old, he gave his life to the Lord. An avid sportsman all his life, his fondest memories were of playing football, and that was the analogy he used when he told me about the experience. He said, "Now Jesus is my quarterback. He's calling all my plays."

We had a game on TV the other day and I was watching the plays, calling out advice from my rocking chair. The team, of course, didn't listen to me. And they didn't listen to the thunderous noise around them. Instead, they entered into the traditional huddle before each play so they could hear what the quarterback had to say. And they carried out his plan - not the advice being shouted from the stands - to the best of their ability.

I was reminded of that as I meditated upon my morning scripture reading (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). Paul was writing to the church in Thessalonica, a Greek seaport, to a group of people who had turned to God from idols and who went on to endure successive attacks from barbarians who tried to stamp out their faith. In Paul's letter, you might say he was in the locker room with them at halftime, encouraging the "team." 

What kind of a pep talk did he give?

1. He wanted them to know that God was happy with the team. (v. 13)

2. He wanted them to remember that they had been hand-picked for the team. (v. 13 & 14)

3. He wanted them to take their appointed positions and hold them firm against the opposition. (v. 15)

4. He wanted to remind them that the quarterback, Jesus Himself, was in the game with them and they could depend on Him to carry them through the plays. (v. 16 & 17)

I wonder. After Paul's pep talk, did the team go back to the field and listen to the Quarterback instead of the noise around them? Did they win the game? Did any of them become MVP and or be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Or in the noise of the game of life, did they stop listening to the quarterback? Did they start running wherever they wanted, or sit down and relax, or start tackling their own team members?

And what do we do, today? As I stand at the brink of a new year, taking inventory, am I listening to the quarterback? Am I remembering whose I am? Am I using my training, skills and position as a team player?

Am I holding firm against the plays of the opposition?

In 2013, my goal needs to be to huddle close to Jesus. I desire His comfort and strength each day, and I want to do the work and say the words that He wants me to say, for His eternal glory.