Keep It Simple: Soccer Lessons

"Play simple, play smart."

   The basic goal of soccer is quite simple: to get the ball in the opposing team's goal. The difficulty in soccer is actually getting the ball up the field and into the goal. The reason that is difficult is because the opposing team has a pesky habit of stealing the ball from you or blocking your shot. It's simple to get the ball in the goal, but it isn't easy.

   Some teams have a problem of making it harder on themselves because certain players hold onto the ball too long, they don't pass at the right time, or they don't shoot at the right time. That's where the saying, "play simple, play smart" came from.

   In soccer, sometimes you end up facing your own net. Some players will try to turn the ball around to go the other way. Sometimes that works, many times it doesn't because the other team won't let you turn. Thus, why I tell my players to play simple. If my players pass the ball back to their teammate, that teammate can then send the ball forward easier. Now, when I finally got my team to understand playing simple, we then had the problem of people passing the ball back when the opposite team was there. Or, we would pass the ball around the same area too much. That didn't really help us get up the field. That's why I added to play simple, play smart.

   In life, we also have a goal. The meaning of life can be found in Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." While we are here on earth, our purpose is simple: we are to reflect the light of God. It seems simple, because it is, but it isn't easy.

   We have trials every day where we have a choice: we can reflect God's glory or follow our own desires. That's where being smart comes in. We know we are to follow Jesus' example by following God's word. We need to be smart because our adversary will try to get us to slip up. We have a big adversary. It is impossible for us to defeat him. It's a good thing we don't have to because Jesus already did defeat him. If we walk with Jesus, spend time with him, pray, etc. It will be easier for us to know what is simple and smart. He will help us in the trials of life.

   So, do you know what your purpose in life is? Are you spending time with Jesus each day? Do you make simple, smart choices when you go through trials?
   Image from here.