Drop back and punt is a phrase from football. I use this phrase when things don’t go as planned. In the Christian life, there will be many times when plans are foiled and a new direction is taken. As we are now in the season of football in Alabama, this phrase will become popular as the weeks and months progress. Today we play our in-state rival, Auburn. It seems the entire state picks one side or the other. There are no neutral territories. I love sports, and I compare them with the game of life. We all choose to stand for Christ, or by default, we are living for the enemy Satan. There is no in-between. It is vital if we are going to win the game of life we must choose God and never back down. We must have a plan and determination to advance for the Kingdom and the destiny of our own souls.
In Romans 12:12 Paul states “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” He begins by telling us we are to rejoice in hope. This hope is the knowledge that we have an eternal future. This life sometimes gives us little hope. We suffer trials and tribulations, but we know this is not the end for the Christian.
In football, you have four quarters, and you do not quit because you are behind in the score. Nick Saban, the coach for the University of Alabama, is one of the most successful coaches in college football. He and his players attribute most of that success to the philosophy of not quitting. He pushes and pushes all year long to be able to play the full-time limit. He wants the same amount of effort in the last minute as he gets in the first minute.
This should be a great lesson for us as Christians. Don’t quit! When things don’t go as planned, you get a new plan and a new play. You drop back and punt. The object of this play is for the other team to have the ball as far away from their goal line as possible. You want to limit their yardage to minimal effort. You change plays from offensive to defensive. As Christians, we stand firm and wait patiently, even in tribulation, until our next opportunity for advancement comes.
Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
We are to stand firm! No retreat, do not give up. Keep holding the line until the offense can return and advance.
Many times, in life we will have to “drop back and punt.” We must make a new plan for advancement. There may be someone for whom you are deeply burdened for salvation. They may shut you down, avoid you, or tell you not to mention salvation to them again. You may feel defeated, but remember you are not defeated. Your coach, the Holy Spirit, will guide you to your next opportunity. Stand firm in your resolution to plead for this person’s soul. Be patient and constant in prayer. Hold your ground in your desire and determination. When you feel Satan is advancing kick the ball, and kick it as far as you can, don’t turn it over at your current field position. Bring the defense of study and prayer into play while you plan your offensive attack.
We must be “wise as serpents” because the opponent is “seeking us to devour our very souls.”
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
We must remember we have a great team on our side. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We must be strong in them, and the power of their might, not our own. Be strong therefore, strong for service, strong for suffering, and strong for fighting.
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
We must remember we are on the winning side. Never, never, lose sight of the goal. We win!
I Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
