The calendar recently switched to the first day of Fall, and here in the Midwest, that means leaves are changing colors, firepits are the evening destination, and pumpkin spice lattes are the rage. The dropping temperatures prompt a closet shift to chunky sweaters and boots, and our meals include chili and soups. But my favorite part is football. And this year, especially so, because my son is a senior on the high school team. My Friday nights are spent under the lights, cowbell and fat head in hand, high-fiving and cheering for the Eagles.

As I look back over the past five years, watching my son play a sport he is passionate about, I can clearly see how it mirrors a life of faith. So, grab your blanket and snuggle up next to me on the cold, steel bleachers as I explain.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). It’s a confidence and a certainty in something that, well, isn’t seen.

Let me start by saying many of us are confused about what faith is. Many grew up thinking we could ask God for blessings from Heaven, and they should shower down like fairy dust. But when the prayer wasn’t answered as we hoped, or at all, then we concluded God doesn’t exist or doesn’t care about us. It was more of a transactional experience. Like walking up to an ATM and expecting bills to start spilling out. Or having nothing to do with Him, and then, when everything is out of our control, we beg for a Hail Mary Pass to save us from demise.

If you were fortunate and had a parent, grandparent, or wise mentor teach you that God wants to hang out with us like a good friend, and talk about our good days and bad, to brainstorm and create new plays, and to laugh together (John 15:11). This is a great foundation for a life of faith. Where God is a main character in our experiences, each day, and we continue to seek time with Him.

As the regular season has come to an end and our team is dialing in for playoffs, here are some parallels I’m observing between the game of football and living a life of faith:

God is asking us to be prepared for what’s to come. That starts with armoring up our minds and bodies. Each play in football is both offensive and defensive, so player and coach alike are taught the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). You have to know your opponent if you are going to beat them. We encase our players in bulky pads and state-of-the-art helmets, yet we know our strongest weapon is prayer. Our coaches and parents pray over the field, the team, and even the opponent before the game. It’s a way to invite God in, share our limitations and weaknesses, and ask Him for guidance and blessings.

God is asking us to practice. Physically, we need the reps to get in shape, become stronger, and build muscle memory, so when the power-house, cross-town rival, comes against us, we know which screen pass, jet sweep, or fade route will get us the yards. And when it’s the enemy bringing the hits from the blindside (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8), thanks to our preparation above, we know the Lord’s sword (Ephesians 6:17) will be the most effective offense against him.

God is asking for coaches to speak. Regardless of age, we need coaches, leaders, mentors, parents, as strong, wise guides in our lives to explain the strategy, call the plays, and sometimes even give an audible of a last-minute adjustment. We all have the ultimate Playbook available, the Bible. Is it in our hands? We should study it, review it, and share the truth and grace it contains.

God is asking us to get in the game. It is no fun to sit the bench in any sport or in life. If you are injured, rest and then get your reps back in. If you aren’t the star player, take action and work hard to learn special teams. Everyone needs to assist in anything the team is lacking. Regardless of the gifts the Lord has given you (Ephesians 4:11-13), on and off the field, we all need to share the gospel and Jesus’ love, because the fourth quarter will happen. There is an end to the game (John 17:1-5).

An example of this occurred a few weeks ago. At the end of each of our games, our head coach has the team give “put-ups” to teammates who did well. Parents and fans are invited to join on the field to hear, and then to gather in close, hands on shoulders, as one of the boys prays. Two years ago at a cross-town rival, we were impolitely told to leave the field. Our coach took it in stride and pulled the large group together on a skinny sidewalk. It felt awkward, but the result of offering compliments and praise to God was achieved. This year, we were back at that field. Our coach led the team to a corner of the field. Fans exited the bleachers and joined them. Security approached and was overheard saying, “It’s okay. Let this team finish. They are PRAYING on the field. We need more of this.”

God is asking us to give Him the glory. Some games end in shutouts, others in nail-biting overtime. Regardless of the end score on the field, there is always a great throw, catch or tackle to be grateful for when the team is united. And when you are a Believer playing for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10, Matthew 4:17, Romans 14:17), it is because you understand that victory is the grand finale. He has already won:

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in Heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

The Friday night stadium lights provide a new meaning for me. It is as if they are shining God’s love over anyone who wants more of Him. My prayer is that any team or family member, co-worker, or friend that encounters us, the followers of Jesus Christ, that they see something different about God’s players and ask to learn more about the game, the game of a faith-filled life.

Please pray with me …

Lord, week after week, I have stood on the turf field in a prayer huddle with other parents and coaches. Each week, different requests are presented from protection and fair play, to healing, and we always reject and cast out any schemes of the enemy. Week after week, spoken in different voices and languages, we ask that Your love will open the eyes of everyone who walks on our field. Today, Lord, I ask that each reader walk their “field”, be it their front yard, business cubicle, around their marriage bed and kitchen table, and claim it, all of it for You. We would give everything and everyone to You, the Victor, the Redeemer, the Protector, the Warrior, and the ultimate I Am. Amen.