Targeting
Over the past couple of years, professional and college football have adapted rules to include a penalty for “targeting.” Targeting is defined as forcible contact with the crown of the helmet to the head or neck area of another player. This kind of contact is dangerous both to the player being hit and the one delivering the blow. In fact, the rules committees decided that this is such a dangerous way to engage an opponent that the person found guilty of such is to be disqualified (ejected) from the game. While controversial, the rule is designed to protect the players from themselves as serious head and neck injuries have resulted from these kinds of hits. When players observe the rules, it makes for better game play; when they don’t follow the rules, serious problems ensue.
This reminds me of what God told His people in Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” God gives us instructions to follow, and when we do, we enjoy life; when we don’t, we risk the consequences. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Not only are there consequences in this life, but there will be eternal consequences. It is imperative, therefore, that we walk by faith and obey the Lord’s commands that He gives us for the reason He gives them to us. Will we enjoy life by following God’s word? Or will we be disqualified?