I watched last night’s broadcast of the Super Bowl–the highlight of American football. It was hyped as the ultimate matchup of the last generation of great quarterbacks (the key person who leads the offense) and the heir apparent to that throne.
The trouble with that hype is that ignores the other 10 men on the offense squad. And they are important. What happened in reality is that the “offensive line”–the big guys who protect the quarterback–of the Kansas City side had sustained injuries. The line, which must work as a unit much like the defenders in football (soccer), found itself with replacements and players playing positions where they had not played all year.
The result was that the young quarterback, who really is quite good, had inadequate protection. And they lost.
And so, I thought, there must be a spiritual metaphor in that situation.
I searched “protection” in both the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures. The results were meager.
What I gained from my search was that often we humans seek protection from the wrong source. And often protection from the wrong opposing force.
Following Jesus into life in the spirit, in the kingdom of God, may not provide protection from every physical threat. It will provide the solid foundation to protect our spiritual life in the end from all the doubts and questions and threats of emotional vicissitude. He protects us from bad decisions, if we but listen. He provides guidance when we need it, if we but listen.
Faith Venture 
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