In sports, everyone knows the “prevent” defense never works. Last year’s Superbowl showed us that. After scoring a touchdown with less than 2 minutes to go, the underdog Cardinals looked to be a lock to become the 2009 Superbowl champions. But then it happened… It seemed to those of us watching, the Cardinals went into the “prevent” and it was all over. At the end of the day it was the Pittsburgh Steelers, not the Arizona Cardinals who carried the day and hoisted the trophy.
Acts 4:18-20 says – So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
Obviously, the apostles did not believe in playing “prevent.” They weren’t willing to take the path of least resistance. They weren’t willing to sit back and react to the whims and desires of others. Had they done that, we might not have any Christian churches today. They were willing to step out and be “offensive!” All that to say, I want to go on the offensive in life. I spend too much time reacting to life’s happenings rather than being proactive, taking charge and leading my life.
What about you? Are you playing prevent, hoping to avoid loss, trouble and pain? What does it mean for you to go on the offensive? What are you going to do about it?
