Sand Mountain Sermonette 17
Proverbs 29:18; Numbers 14:3
Coach Jolley Had It Right!
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 King James Version
I remember my Jr. High football coach, “Puny Jolley.” Coach Jolly played for the University of Alabama “Crimson Tide” in his day, and it was a joy to play football for him. One practice that took place on a hot summer day comes to mind. I was the starting left offensive tackle for our team and a classmate of mine by the name of Wendy held the offensive right tackle position. Now coach stood about five foot seven inches whereas Wendy was a good six feet three or four inches. Well, coach had called for a running play in which our Quarterback would hand off the ball to our right halfback who would follow off the block of Wendy on the right side. However, Wendy missed his block, to which Coach Jolly, red-faced as he would get, immediately walked over and picked Wendy right off the ground holding onto to the top part of Wendy’s tail pad with one hand and the back-center of his shoulder pads and set him down in front of the defensive lineman he was to block to make the hole for the halfback!
Coach Jolly had a specific plan (a vision), for how he wanted that play executed from his playbook. Every football coach has a game plan, (His vision for his team) in place before every kickoff. And whether it be the artist who has a conception in his or her mind before the painting is put on the canvas or the platoon leader who overlooks his battle plan before the fighting begins; vision is vital to the Christian and to the Body of Christ! “Why?” Because Solomon tells us in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” In the original language, this verse reads, “Where there is no mental perception or contemplation, the people go back…” A similar thing happened to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Numbers 14:3 tells us they grumbled before Moses and Aaron saying, “…would it not be better for us to return to Egypt.” God has a plan for each of His children in Christ. He doesn’t want to leave us where we are, but to have us become all that He wants us to be following His purpose and direction for our lives. The question is, “Where are you headed—forward with God, or backward?” God to God’s Word and talk to Him in prayer. He has a vision for your life!
Pastor Louie