The Red Zone

I have to admit that I've let Fawnda run with our blog for a very long time, and this is mostly because she does such a great job at it. I thought that I would put together another post to give you some insight into the some of the things that bounce around inside my head (beside the mothballs, of course).

As of late, my life is being lived like I'm in the Red Zone. For those of you that don't follow football, the term "red zone" refers to the area on the football field that is within the opponent's 20-yard line. The Red Zone is certainly within field goal range, but the end zone is within sight, and a 7-point touchdown is always better than a 3-point field goal. NFL statisticians pay particular attention to any and all actions within the Red Zone, and I believe records are kept for it all. Most players on the offensive side of the ball get jittery once they pass the 20 yard line, because games are often decided by what happens within those 60 feet of the football field.

Maybe I should pause here. I should probably clarify that I do not feel that I have been put out to pasture, and that my respective share of the turf happens to be within the 20-yard line on some football field. When I say that I feel that life is being lived within the Red Zone, I am referring to a particular state of mind.

In regard to being the father of a two year-old, I feel that every decision and move I make counts. Do I plop down in front of the TV when I get home, or do I run around the house with a screaming boy on my back? Do I take a nap because I'm tired, or do I dress down to give a boy (who loves the water) a bath? Like I said, every decision counts. There are no do-overs, and whether you realize it or not, someone, somewhere is keeping track.

In regard to my Christian faith, I continue to press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:14). I really like this passage of scripture, because it refers to the energy that we must exert to keep a certain momentum going. It says, "forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead. . .". Don't you just love that? If we coast, we will certainly fall short when it counts. The decisions to exert a little energy could include such things like, doing devotions early in the morning or late at night (either way, it's not easy because you're tired); turning off the radio in the car and spending that time in prayer (I know, sometimes the quiet can be scary); or picking up a good Christian book that will certainly stretch your faith. Once again, it's like being in the red zone. I press on toward the goal, but every decision and move I make counts.

Anyway, I have been thinking lately about how life often requires the same mentality that it takes to be effective within the Red Zone, and I thought that I would post some of my random thoughts. Maybe it's because the Super Bowl was over a month ago, and I needed a good football fix, but I do believe there's some merit in living life like someone's keeping score and everything you do counts. Does this resonate with anything going on in your life? Or, maybe it is time to put Jason out to pasture? Leave me a comment, and let me know what you think.