Of all professional sports positions, few are more intriguing than kickers in the National Football League.
More than any other task in sports, a player's effectiveness in successfully kicking the ball through the uprights will tremendously impact his psyche.
Just think about it: Kickers spend most of the game standing idly on the sidelines, being overlooked by just about everyone in attendance. But in an instant, that same kicker can be summoned into action to determine the outcome of a game with a last-minute kick.
If a kicker gets in his head and isn't emotionally stable, he can quickly fail to execute when they call his number, and the stakes are high.
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates stressed the importance of remaining even-keeled during his press conference on Thursday evening after he had kicked his third game-winning field goal of the season.
Bates commented, "I'm trying to stay as leveled as I can and just be the same person every day. Fipp [Detroit’s Special Teams Coach] likes to say, 'Never ride the roller coaster.' So, not riding the highs, not riding the lows, and just staying right here."
While kickers can't get too high when they are doing well, they can't get too low when enduring a slump.
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, regarded by many as the best kicker in NFL history, is enduring his worst statistical season as a pro, connecting on just 70% of his attempts.
But despite his lackluster showing this fall, Tucker recently stated, "One of the challenges that every player, every coach, every team faces is remaining confident…I'm still confident I'm going to go out there and nail every single kick."
As followers of Jesus, we all go through seasons of life when we experience varying levels of success in our battle against sin. Sometimes, we resist temptation and more consistently obey God's commandments. Other times, it seems like we are more easily succumbing to the temptations, not “kicking it through the uprights” and falling into sin.
Regardless of how obedient we have been recently, we must ensure that we "never ride the roller coaster" regarding our mindsets and attitudes moving forward.
In resisting temptation, the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB), "Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall."
Being obedient and standing firm in the faith is a tremendous thing. However, even being obedient can come with the temptation to become prideful and let our guard down.
When experiencing a season of success over temptation and sin, we must remain humble and dependent upon God, recognizing that we are not impervious to falling.
Believers who have found themselves giving into temptation do not need to be overly discouraged about their failings. Yes, repentance and godly sorrow are good things, but we don’t need to have a defeatist attitude in our battle against sin because Jesus has set us free from being enslaved to sin. We have the ability, by the Holy Spirit, to obey. (We’ll “kick” the next one through the uprights as we trust Him!)
The Apostle Paul also writes in Romans 6:6 (ESV), "We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."
Today, no matter which season we find ourselves in, let's remain even-keeled and balanced in our mindset and approach. Let's display humility and dependence upon the Lord to help keep us from falling while remaining confident that He will be faithful to help us obey as we look to Him.
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I always desire to be obedient to You. Please help me avoid becoming arrogant and complacent when I obey. At the same time, please help me trust You and know that You will help me live in obedience when I fall into sin. Thank you for Your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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