The above title can lead to a lot of wondering of how this author can weave a tale about football and relate it to life in general. This will be a little different, so go with me.
In 2013 the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South Division with a 12-4 record. It was a very successful year, but a loss in their first playoff game revealed room for improvement. So, in the offseason, they did something I still have a hard time fathoming:
They said goodbye to every one of their wide receivers. Also, their most experienced and possibly best offensive lineman retired. This included Steve Smith, Sr., the most famous and possibly the best player in Panthers history. Panthers fans very surprised, disappointed, and very vocal. This extremely introverted, potentially Aspergian author, was as vocal as he could be.
New receivers were signed and drafted, the preseason proved lackluster, and the NFL season began. You may have heard some details from it, most of them not football related.
On the Panthers' end, though, nothing but good news- when it comes to the action on the field. The team is 2-0, so far, and this past week shut down the best receiver in the league. The offense has been enough, essentially, to get the job done, and can only improve as Cam Newton gets into the flow.
If you're not a football fan, you're bored by now. But the point is this: I now know the plan the Panthers' management had when they set this offseason plan forth- and I like it.
In other words, I can see the vision.
Proverbs 29:18 starts in the King's English: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." In The Message, it says "If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves." It finishes: "But he that keepeth the law, happy is he," or "But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed."
Here in the middle of our messes, it's hard to see what God is doing a lot of times. We live in a time of terror, doubt, uncertainty, and fear. I personally live in a time of immense stress and seemingly little reward for that stress. Some days are harder than others. and none of the days are easy it seems. I'm currently reading a wonderful book by Anne Graham Lotz called Wounded by God's People. It's fabulous. It takes the Biblical account of Hagar, Abraham's servant and mother of Ishmael, and relates it to the wounds, difficulties, and issues that we have faced from other Christians- and also things we may have done to others. She also references in this book Moses in Exodus 33-34, asking God to show him His glory. God showed up for Hagar at a time of rejection from Sarah. God showed the back of His glory to Moses. I'm also reminded of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:17 praying the Lord would open the eyes of his servant Gehazi to see the army surrounding the enemy at his door. Elisha had the vision- and it thrilled him. Gehazi needed it.
What I'm saying is what Anne said in that portion of her book. What Moses asked in the cleft of the rock. What Hagar needed to see. What I need to see. Ask God to show the vision. Ask for His guidance as you travel through the situation. I grant there are times where it is too great for us, and He simply asks us to trust. Take His hand in those times, and walk with Him. One day you will be able to see it all clearly, and will rejoice.
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