The Wisdom Playbook

Imagine you're down on the field, the clock's ticking, and everything's on the line. You've got the choice to either muscle through or play smart. This is where the ancient wisdom from Ecclesiastes 9:15-16 and 9:18 can really speak to us, even in the modern context of football:

"Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. Then I said: 'Wisdom is better than strength.' Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard." - Ecclesiastes 9:15-16

"Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." - Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom Over Brute Force

In football, strength, speed, and size are undeniably crucial, but they're not the whole game. Here's how wisdom can be your MVP:

1. The Wise Linebacker: Consider a linebacker who isn't the fastest or strongest but has an innate sense of reading plays. He uses wisdom, not just physical gifts, to anticipate the opponent's moves. This is like the "poor wise man" who saved the city; his wisdom was his greatest weapon, even if he wasn't celebrated for it. In practice, this could mean mastering the art of reading the quarterback's eyes or the alignment of the offensive line to predict where the ball is going.

2. Outsmarting the Defense: During games, teams often face defenses designed to counter their physical strengths. Here, wisdom steps in. A quarterback who chooses to use a play-action pass instead of running into a stacked box, or a receiver who adjusts his route based on the defensive back's position, showcases wisdom. They're using intelligence to turn the game in their favor, much like how wisdom in Ecclesiastes is valued over might.

3. Strategy Over Show: In practices, coaches often teach plays that might not seem flashy but are effective because they're smart. A well-executed power sweep on fourth and long can turn a seemingly doomed drive into a touchdown by using the opponent's prevent defense against them. This echoes the sentiment in Ecclesiastes 9:18, where wisdom can achieve more than physical force, especially when it's underestimated.

Applying Wisdom in Football

• Game Planning: Like Solomon's wisdom, your game plan should be thoughtful, considering not just your strengths but also how to exploit the weaknesses of your opponents. This might mean choosing plays that avoid the other team's strongest defenders or setting up plays that bait them into mistakes.

• In-Game Decisions: Wisdom is about making the right call under pressure. On the field, this could be a decision to go for it on fourth down or to take the safer kick, based on understanding the game's flow and the opponent's tendencies.

• Leadership: The most respected players are often those who lead with wisdom, teaching others not just through strength but through strategic thinking and understanding of the game. They remember the lessons from practice and apply them when it counts.

Conclusion

Just as Ecclesiastes tells us that wisdom surpasses strength, your journey in football should embrace this truth. You might not be the biggest, fastest, or strongest on the field, but with wisdom, you can still be the game-changer. Remember, the next time you're in a huddle or facing a critical moment in life, think about how you can outsmart, not just overpower. Wisdom in football, like in life, is a quiet but mighty force.

Let's go out there, play smart, and show everyone that the real strength is in our minds.