Salvation and Football
Growing up in Denver, Colorado, you learn at an early age football is life—more specifically Broncos football is life. As the seasons begin to transition from summer to fall, the energy in the city begins to shift. Excitement fills the air, and on game day, the excitement builds to a point in which it feels like the city is sitting on a volcano ready to erupt! I could only imagine what the energy is like in the locker room as the players are suiting up to go into battle.
Though I have never been in a football locker room, I’m sure there is a specific order in which the players begin to put on their equipment. From watching more games than I can count, I do know that the last piece of equipment the players usually put on is their helmet. As a matter of fact, when we see the players put on their helmet, we know it’s about to get real! It’s important to note that the helmet is an important piece of a football player's equipment; however, it cannot completely protect a player from injury.
Much like football players marching into battle, each of us faces a battle every day whether we know it or not. We too have equipment we must put on each day to prepare for battle. This equipment is the armor of God, and perhaps one of the most important pieces of the armor is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17, NIV). Thankfully, unlike a football player's helmet, the helmet of salvation completely protects us—it protects us and grants us eternal life.
Depending on where you are in your walk with Christ, you may be wondering how we are granted salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, it is not something we can earn. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) tells us, “That if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Once we are saved, the enemy would love nothing more than to see thoughts of discouragement and unworthiness creep into our minds. These thoughts can lead to doubt, and we could find ourselves walking away from God. As a reminder, we should put on the full armor of God each day. We need the belt of truth to remind us of who God is and who he says we are, the breastplate of righteousness, we need to prepare our feet with the gospel of peace, take up our shield of faith, of course our helmet of salvation, and last but not least, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17). I love how God gives us everything we need to go into battle!
The weather will soon be transitioning from summer to fall, which usually signals to my brain that it’s time for the battle on the football field to begin. This year may be different because of the pandemic. If my beloved Broncos are able to march onto the field, their uniform will be a reminder to me to suit up for my own battle. As I place the helmet of salvation firmly on my head, may it signal to the enemy that God is in me and is declaring victory!
Stephanie Patterson is originally from Denver, Colorado, and has called Las Vegas home since 2013. She has been married to her incredibly supportive and patient husband, Gabriel, since 2008. Her blended family includes 3 children – 2 adult children living productively on their own (hallelujah!), and a spunky, creative pre-teen who keeps her on her toes. Stephanie became a mother at a young age, and in her late 30s, is finally figuring out who she is. What she has discovered about herself, thus far, is she loves to read, write, cook/bake, and nap. What she has always known is that her heart belongs to God, and she feels called to connect with people who need help seeing that God loves and accepts them as they are. Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her life experiences and hopes to connect with others through the grace and glory of God.