Snap Decision

College football is finally here! Each Saturday morning, I hear the College Game Day song, read the fan’s creative signs and hear the screams of the crowd from our television. “It’s the best time of the year”, my husband proclaims wearing a boy-like grin. There is so much excitement surrounding College GameDay because everyone anticipates what will happen. Predictions are made and rankings are scrutinized, but until the end of the fourth quarter anything can happen.

As the hosts of College GameDay converse around the desk, there is always one player on every team that is mentioned, the quarterback. His decisions will largely determine the outcome of his game. At the snap of the ball, the quarterback will have seconds to analyze, process and respond. It is decision making at its best; time is short, and the stakes are high.

Quarterbacks have the ability to stay calm and look for their best options with pressure quickly closing in. How does someone make good decisions in such high-pressure situations? For the most part, he has decided ahead of time. The coach has consistently conditioned him to look for his best option and respond in almost every situation. He is conditioned to think quickly and to put the ball where it needs to go in every possible situation.

As Christians, do we make the best snap decisions, or do we give the old “I’ll have to pray about that” response? Frankly, there are some decisions we shouldn’t have to think about. Being conditioned in the faith through a relationship with Christ will give you the ability to make great snap decisions. When we are asked to help someone…yes. When we are confronted with a need…yes. When someone needs prayer…yes. When someone needs comforting…yes. When someone needs encouraging…yes. When someone needs to hear the hope of Christ…yes.

There should be far more “yes” than “no” decisions coming from Christians. We shouldn’t have to stop and think about whether we should participate in doing good. That should come easily! When you are conditioned in the character of Christ then yes is always on the tip of your tongue. Christ said, “yes, come”, “yes, take what you need”, “yes, you are forgiven”, “yes, you have a place with me”.

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are all “YES” in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:20. He is still saying yes to you, and he wants you to say yes to others. When the ball is snapped to you (spiritually speaking) this week say yes. Make your decisions for good ahead of time. Fashion your responses after Jesus whose favorite answer is YES!

If you find that your knee jerk answer is usually no or “let me pray about that” then I hope you will pray about it. God gives us opportunities all the time to partner in the work of His Kingdom. He wants to give you the confidence to fearlessly engage and say YES to being a part of His army. Will you make a snap decision and say yes?