Third And Twenty-two

Third and Twenty-Two

I can never figure out why there isn’t a play for third and twenty-two beyond the draw play. For many teams, the draw play is so predictable. Even the broadcasters know that on third and twenty-two, the offensive coordinator is going to call a running play. After it gets seven yards and the punt team comes on, they say, “Well, they just don’t have a twenty-two-yard play in their playbook.”

How do you react when your team calls a draw play on third and twenty-two? When my boys and I are watching our Texans and they run the draw on third and twenty-two, we jump out of our seats and scream at the TV, saying, “Throw the ball! Take a shot downfield! Throw deep!” Why accept defeat when you have world-class receivers and a grown man who can throw the ball seventy yards or more? I can’t fathom it.

Let’s consider our actions when our backs are against the wall. Why do we accept defeat so easily when the enemy has had his way with us? Why do we listen to his lies, believe we have lost, and throw in the towel?

I want to leave you with two Scripture passages to consider today. First, Ephesians 1:3 states, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Keep in mind, we have every blessing we need in Jesus Christ. There is a play in your playbook for third and twenty-two. Second, Romans 8:35-37 states, “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” My friend, if it’s third and twenty-two today, throw deep! He’ll be right there with you.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Ephesians 1:3