God's Coaching #335

God's Coaching #335

Indianapolis Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning is a master of calling the right play at the right time. Most NFL teams called a play in the huddle, lined up, and ran it. When Peyton was on the field, the Colts rarely huddled at all. Instead Peyton looked at the defense and shouted out some signals that only his team could understand. Then the Colts would line up, and Peyton would bark out different commands. Suddenly, everybody would shift to a new play.

In football terms, Peyton was calling an “audible.” That’s when a quarterback changes a play based on how he sees the defense lining up. If you’ve ever watched a Colts game, you’ve probably seen Peyton’s animated hand flaps, exaggerated foot stomps, and other wild body motions. Peyton was always watching the opposing team’s safeties and middle linebackers to try to determine where the defense’s weaknesses were going to be. Then he would change the Colts’ play accordingly. In just 40 seconds, Peyton could change a play several times based on the defense’s alignment.

What’s the Score?

Peyton changed the Colts’ plays all the time, and it served him well. Heading into the 2011 season, Peyton already held many NFL passing records and had led Indianapolis to a victory in Super Bowl XLI. He will go down in history as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, thanks in part to his ability to change plays on short notice.

Change was good for the Colts, but Christians should be thankful we serve a God who never changes. God’s unchanging nature is one of his most important characteristics explained in Scripture. Think about it: What if God could change? What if he could improve, or change for the better? That would mean he wasn’t the best possible God in the first place. And even more alarming, it would mean he could possibly change for the worse.

Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about those questions because God never changes (Malachi 3:6). He never makes a bad choice and then has to do something over. His character is consistent. He is always the same holy God, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly loving, and just. The greatest NFL quarterbacks might change, but God never does!

On the Ball

Drop some “change” in your pocket—some pennies, nickels, and dimes. Then reach in and pull out a coin. Look at the number of cents represented by the coin, and think of that number of ways that God doesn’t change. For instance, if you pull out a penny, think of one way God doesn’t change; if it’s a nickel, think of five ways.

Coach’s Comment

I am the LORD, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6