The Wrong Way

The 2012 college football season kicked off with a great weekend of spectacular plays, exciting games and even your typical miscues. Unfortunately, Kent State’s linebacker Andre Parker made the highlight reel for his blunder.

Kent State punted the ball to their opponent, and during the punt a Towson player touched the ball, making it live. Andre Parker quickly picked up the football and ran 58 yards — in the wrong direction. He was just 7 yards away from his own end zone but got turned around and started running the other direction. Fortunately, some Towson players were just as confused and tackled him instead of allowing him to run into their end zone.

Life can present us with exciting moments: new job, new relationship, new season. In the midst of the excitement, it is easy to get caught up and become confused — sometimes not realizing we’re heading in the wrong direction. In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son, a lesson in just how easily one can choose the wrong direction. And yet ultimately, one can return home, like the prodigal son did, and humble themselves before their loving father, and find forgiveness.

Learn from history, before you make history. Become aware of the choices that lead away from God so that during times of confusion you, too, won’t be tempted to go the wrong way.