The O-Line

Proverbs 4:20 – Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. (MSG)

Proverbs 4:23-26 – Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. (MSG)

Randall, Mayo, Eddie, Raynardo, Jon, Patrick, Shug, Lee, Zach, and Tony are members of the Tigers' football O-Line. Their job is pretty much to be the first line of defence against the opposing team's offensive line. To guard in football means the same as it does in every-day life: to defend.

This is one thing from football or any sport that we as Christians can relate to. In life, as in football, the best offence is a good defence. Christians should play some guard every day and always be ready to protect themselves. Christians are all to be standing as the first line of defence against the devil and his helpers. It is our job as Christians to block them and tackle them, while trying not to be tackled or blocked by the devil and his team.

In today's Scripture, Solomon encourages his son about the upcoming fight the son was facing. He gave him some pointers. He told his son to watch his heart, to watch what he said or listened to, to stay focused on his goals, and to watch his step. We can do all of this by getting into God's playbook, the Bible, and practicing what we read.

Prayer: Dear Lord, life is not always easy, and there are many stumbling blocks that can cause great harm to us. Lord, be our strength as we face temptations and other wrong things. Make us effective as guards against evil. Allow us to learn from Your words in the Bible. Make us listen and hear and see all that we need to. In Your time and in Your name. Amen.