I have numerous memories from my football days at Clemson.  Some are fond memories and some are awful.  Today I want to begin with a memory that has stuck with me for years.  It was during my sophomore year and I was having a good practice.  We we're running a drill called middle drill.  The offense and defense lined up against each other and the offense would basically try to run the ball down the middle of the field.  Coach Ford was up high in his tower watching our every move.  About half way through the drill I heard a loud smack.  Someone had just missed a block and the running back got crushed.  I was jogging back to the huddle thinking someone is about to have a bad day.  About that time Coach Vanderhayden grabbed my face mask and started chewing my butt out.  I told him I got my man and the heated discussion was on.  It didn't take long for me to realize I had blocked the wrong guy.  Coach Ford screamed, "Herman, do you know it or not."  I obviously didn't know my play book.

After practice Coach Vanderhayden pulled me to the side and had a very frank conversation with me.  He said, "Dean, no matter how big, fast or strong you become, if you don't know who to block you'll never be able to play on this level."  I had told coach I'd learn my plays.  I had scanned through my play book but hadn't memorized it.  People are oblivious just how detailed each play is.  When the defense shifts it changes who you block.  If you block the wrong guy you freed someone up to take a cheap shot on the quarterback or running back. 

I began to study every day because I wanted to start.  I wanted to impress my coaches so they would have faith in me.  I wanted to be the best football player I could be.

I believe Jesus Christ is looking down on his children every day telling us, no matter how big, fast or strong we become, we can't play at this level without knowing our play book." 

Paul told Timothy,
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.

Many of God's players can't use God's Word because they don't know it.  It took a humiliating experience to open my eyes about my football play book.  I want to learn God's Holy Word because I want to play at another level.  I want to win.  I want to change lives.  Every person on God's team needs to dig daily before God looks at you and ask, "Do you know it or not?"