“Huddle…” (by Mel McGuire)

During the Holidays I am prone to watch a lot of football. A popular trend these days is the “no-huddle” offense. This offense relies on signs, visual cues, and limited verbal communication to call the next play. It has the potential to keep a defense from making adjustments based on “down and distance”. It can be hard to run in a hostile environment if there is a lot of crowd noise.

In order to maximize the impact of the no-huddle, the overall game plan and situational awareness must be established before the game is played. This requires preparation and dedication by the coaches and players alike.

The team will still huddle prior to certain plays, or if they need to “milk the clock”. The point of the huddle is to update each other on the current situation, and to provide information as to what is coming next.

That is where God got me. First, He noted, the huddle in between plays is NOT the time or place to talk about what just happened! It is to prepare for and call the next play.

Secondly, everyone has a pre-determined place in the huddle, so if specific instructions are necessary for a particular position (not just player), the quarterback knows exactly where to look.

For example, when a team is trying to preserve a lead, players know to stay inbounds and wrap two hands around the ball, for possession is more important than individual stats.

Once I was reminded of the purpose and function of a good ol’ fashioned huddle, God told me I was running a “no-huddle” offense while He was waiting at the end of each play to “huddle up”. Usually, He noted, it is the center, that establishes a location, raises his hand and yells, “Huddle Up!” Well, God told me that my prayer life was like a no-huddle, and I was missing out on stuff because I would not check with Him for the next play.

He told me that as He made adjustments in my daily life, I was missing the signs, visual cues and verbal communication He was using to call the next play. He said I needed to take the time to huddle. My response was “I don’t have time to pray like that all day”, and I believe He heard me. He asked me how long does a team actually huddle between plays? Don’t they in fact incur a penalty if they take too long in the huddle? Don’t they suffer a similar fate if they have too many men in the huddle?

His point to me was that He wanted me to be checking with HIM between plays and it didn’t have to take long. “It’s not the length of the prayer, but the strength of the prayer”. By keeping unnecessary folks out of our huddle, we can avoid penalties and confusing communications. By taking my proper position in the huddle, I can receive the specific instructions for me based on my life’s current “down and distance”.

The message from Sunday, my daily devotion, those are like the overall game plan and situations I prepare for ahead of time. Once my day begins, adjustments have to be made to counter what my opposition is trying to do to stop me. The huddle allows me to hear clearly in spite of crowd noise or excessive movement by the enemy.

Okay, the play is over… Huddle Up!

“Audible…” (by Mel McGuire)

As football season winds down, I was struck by how often successful teams are willing and able to call an audible.

An audible is called when the offense sees the defense is positioned to stop the play they are planning to run. Based on positioning and tendencies, they will then switch to a different play that is designed to work against the defense they are facing. There are several factors involved in whether an audible is called, and if it is successful.

Most defenses study their opponent’s tendencies and prepare for them based on what they have done in the past.

A smart offensive coordinator will study their own past performance and be familiar with their own habits and patterns. They can then put themselves in a familiar position, anticipate the opposing strategy, and have a plan to audible to a better play. A successful audible requires preparation.

Another important factor in running an audible is time and timing. If you take too long to get in the right position, you may not have enough time to call an audible. The best audible is called with enough time for only the offense to adjust. A successful audible requires timing.

The most important aspect of an audible is execution. It is a fundamental truth that the best designed play is only as good as the execution of the play. How many wide open receivers are missed, passes dropped, blocks missed, or penalties incurred due to poor execution?

It takes more than just calling the right play, but running the right play right, to be successful. Audibles rely on good execution.

When the Lord gives us instructions ( calls a play), understand that He has studied your tendencies and past performance. So too has your opponent, and so it is to our advantage to obey quickly, so that if God needs to change your position or assignment, you have time to recognize and adjust.

Faith is hearing the play call, getting lined up and surveying the defense immediately. Faith then listens for an audible, and then executes whatever play is called to the best of its ability.

Certain teams or players prefer to run, others prefer to pass, but the goal is the same…move the ball down the field. We too have our preferences, but God is interested in progress.

There are times when He will have you do the things you prefer and feel comfortable doing. There are other times when progress will be made only when you are executing outside of your comfort zone. Another truth is that growth is equivalent to change, and both come when you balance going to your strengths and improving your weaknesses.

Every situation you face can be overcome if you operate and execute God’s plan. You may want to pray about someone, but God will call an audible and tell you to speak a word to them, or bless them financially.

He may switch out your fellowship time with private devotion with Him. If you are interested in advancing the kingdom, you will not hesitate at the method He chooses. Audibles require obedience.

So let’s get in our rightful positions quickly, prepared to execute our individual assignments to the best of our ability, having faith that whatever play is called, God has a strategy that will advance His purpose in the earth and in our lives.

His plan calls for audibles and our lives are full of them, designed to overcome the opposition we face right now. Expect them, trust them, and execute them to continue moving forward with Him. A spirit led life is a life full of audibles, and it requires preparation, timing, and execution.