As the sports world continues to navigate positive Covid tests and implement protocols, we’re seeing unique situations pop up. The latest strange occurrence took place on Sunday when the Denver Broncos played without their four quarterbacks.
One of them tested positive for the Coronavirus and the other three were close contacts, so none of them were available for the game. That resulted in the debut of practice squad wide receiver (former college QB), Kendall Hinton, stepping in as the de facto QB.
Unfortunately for Hinton, his passing numbers were 1 for 9 for 13 yards and two interceptions, and overall the team had 112 total yards of offense, averaging 2.6 yards per play as they lost to the Saints 31-3.
The usual starting quarterback for the Broncos, Drew Lock, acknowledged the mistake he made that put the team in this position:
"In a controlled and socially distanced area, we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time. An honest mistake, but one I will own...I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important. Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough.”
Head coach Vic Fangio added this: "I was disappointed on a couple of levels, that our quarterbacks put us in this position, that our quarterbacks put the league in this position, we count on them to be the leaders of this team, so that's disappointing...They got lax with their masks, I guess, and they got lax with their distancing, I guess.”
As we read these comments, we can be challenged by the principles that are brought up because they go far beyond mask-wearing or social distancing.
In our own lives, we face the battle against sin with temptations to "slip for a limited amount of time," disregard God's warnings, and become “lax” about God’s commands or “protocols.”
The Bible explains in James 4:17 (ESV), "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
James 1:22 (AMP) says, "But prove yourselves doers of the word , and not merely listeners , deluding yourselves .”
We have to be aware that God has put boundaries in place for our protection and His instructions are for our good, but as soon as we let our guard down or stop taking sin seriously, the consequences can be very costly.
That’s why we are implored to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23; NLT).
Although NFL players have been given parameters and protocols for guarding themselves against being infected with the Coronavirus, when they are on their own, they have to choose to obey them either sometimes, always, or never.
The Broncos' quarterbacks eased up and head coach Vic Fangio admitted, "I haven't done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they're on their own.”
Paul encourages us with a parallel that's written in Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP):
“So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed , not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with awe-inspired fear and trembling .
"For it is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Today, let’s eagerly follow God’s instructions and trust in His plan and purposes. Let’s not take sin casually or His commands loosely, but seek to always obey with joy and passion. When we do “get lax” or “slip,” let’s confess...repent...and rest in God’s grace.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know You are good and Your commands are for my protection. I pray I wouldn't let my guard down and slip into sin. Please give me a heart of obedience. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What commands from God do you have a tough time obeying?
In what ways do you feel tempted to let your guard down?
Comments