FOR COACHES ONLY – PUNTING INTO THE WIND
Week of October 17, 2016

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.  Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
– James 1:5-6

My faith was wavering.  As I watched my unpredictable punter jog onto the field, doubt washed over me with every step.  I never knew what to expect; it might go forty yards in a tight spiral or it could be a ten-yard shank off the side of his foot.  Every kick was an unpredictable adventure.  It was late in the game and field position was critical as my team lined up in punt formation.  As the punter waited for the snap from center, the unexpected happened.  The gentle breeze that had been blowing all night, suddenly transformed into a very stiff wind.  My punter handled the snap cleanly, took two steps and kicked the ball high into the air.  At that point, the play seemed to move in slow-motion.  Everyone watched as a gust of wind caught the ball in mid-flight and pushed it backward!  When the ball finally came to rest and the official blew his whistle, we realized we had witnessed an unbelievable negative ten-yard punt.  My doubts had been confirmed and the untimely wind had managed to make a bad situation worse.

Too often, we approach God with the same doubt as I did my punter.  Sometimes we’re optimistic and sometimes we’re pessimistic.  We know God can do it, but the results don’t always turn out like we want.  We know God cares about us and loves us, but why don’t we always get a positive result?  When doubt creeps into our faith, we often get tossed around and pushed backward like that wind-blown punt.  Our doubt does not honor God and chances are slim that wisdom and insight will come from our wishy-washy belief.  Want better results?  Take a firm stand the next time you pray, talk to God with complete faith and remember, no doubting allowed!

Heavenly Father, protect me from the winds of doubt.  Teach me to be strong in my faith and to trust You completely in all things.  Amen.