3 Lessons I Learned From Sunday’s Ravens Game (Which Can Also Be Spiritual Metaphors)

Yeah, it’s a clunky title, but I can’t help it. Sometimes the spiritual aspect of life just jumps out at me. So here it goes:

1. Penalties (like little sins) will eventually catch up with you and cost you.

Our Ravens had 13 penalties in the game against Dallas. 13! And whether it’s those little things like, “Whoops! I bumped into the receiver by accident,” or more obvious, like, “Yep–I chose to pull a man down by his face mask”, every time we choose to disregard the rules, we are taking a risk. Even if you think you got away with it, God saw it and loves you too much to let it go on like that.

2. Even the greatest of all time is a human with human limitations.

Yes. We love Justin Tucker, and he is the greatest kicker ever and… He’s having a rough start to this season. Because he’s a man, not a super hero. Even people who are the best in their field need encouragement too. I saw coach Harbaugh pepping up Justin on the sidelines when the game was over. Way to go coach!

3. Never take a big lead for granted.

The Ravens were ahead 28-6 going into the 4th quarter and barely hung on. The win was tremendous! But it’s a reminder that a big lead is a thing to steward carefully. We must finish strong just like we started, doing the things we did at first, keeping our focus all the way to the end. The final minutes of the game is no time to get lazy and coast. If anything, it’s time to press on towards the prize! I’m not saying our team got lazy, but something shifted with that big lead. Maybe we got too comfortable?
Keep pressing, keep your focus and play your best all the way to the end.

Can’t wait to see what we learn from our team next Sunday. Go Ravens! And go YOU!