Dropping the Ball

Growing Daily

Dropping the Ball

In a recent rain-drenched NFL game, former star quarterback-turned-commentator, Tom Brady, spent much of the game advocating for the use of leather gloves in wet weather.

He explained that in his playing days, he encouraged his receivers to wear leather in the rain, knowing that plastic gloves would become slick.  Still, many ignored him and chose what felt more familiar, resulting in dropped passes.

I found this fascinating.  Surely very few players have ever been more qualified than Tom Brady to offer advice on catching footballs.  If you were a young receiver, wouldn’t you hang on his every word?  And as team captain, couldn’t Brady have forced them to wear what he knew was best?  Apparently not.  His receivers were free to choose—even to choose poorly.

This got me thinking about my own choices.  I’m on the field of life with the greatest Captain of all time.  Jesus never misreads the conditions.  He promises wisdom to make the right calls (James 1:5).  His Word is a trustworthy playbook (Psalm 119:105).  And still, I often rely on my own ideas—what feels comfortable or familiar—only to drop the ball.

Jesus never forces obedience.  He invites trust.  The question is, will I listen or play my own way?

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

- Catherine Reid