While I am a Clemson fan, this isn’t a post about the Tigers necessarily. While I am super impressed by Trevor Lawrence, this post isn’t intending to breakdown his athletic caliber. This post seeks to remind us all about not giving up after a mistake.
On Thursday, August 29, 2019, the Clemson Tigers started their college football season against Georgia Tech. While the game ended with a 52-14 victory, for the Tigers, the game saw Trevor Lawrence throw two interceptions. He only had four the previous year. While the interceptions were uncharacteristic, I was so thankful for what he did after the mistake.
After Tre Swilling picked him off, Lawrence was the only one in the proximity to catch him. After picking the ball off at the 43, Swilling ran all the way down the field only to be taken down by Lawrence on the 2-yard-line. After a great pursuit angle, Lawrence lowered his shoulder into the runner and took him out. The Tigers’ defense stopped them at the goal line with an interception on the 4th down. No points were given during this series. While the defense played incredibly, it wouldn’t have happened without Lawrence taking ownership of his mistake and trying to do something about it.
While many people would have sulked, he did something about his gaffe. He refused to allow his mistake to immobilize him.
Why I was so thankful for his effort is the impact it made on my young boys watching. As they cringed at the moment of the interception, they cheered with the following tackle. It was a great conversation starter to talk about owning up our mistakes and not wallowing in them. Here was a great example of someone doing something about the mess he made.
If you are like me, you have made plenty of mistakes and will continue to make them. You can’t avoid displaying your imperfections, but you can fight to address them.
As a follower of Christ, I realize that I am responsible for what I do and what I do after what I’ve done. How I respond to my mistake will often characterize me greater than the mistake itself.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy [Prov. 28:13].
- If I try to conceal my mistakes, I’m not making any progress.
- If I confess my transgressions and forsake them, I can find mercy. I can move on.
While Lawrence showed grit after a bad play, I think it is a great example of what we each should do spiritually. When you have blown it, don’t give up. Address it. Run it down and do the right thing if you can. Don’t point your finger at someone else. Don’t sulk. Avoid whining.
If you can’t take back the interception, at least attempt to stop the touchdown.
Do you have a mistake in your life? You can’t take it back, but could you do something to try to make it right?
- Ask forgiveness to the person you hurt.
- Make restitution for what you took.
- Apologize for your sarcastic comment.
- Help a person you hurt.
- Run it down and make it right.
Your mistakes don’t have to immobilize you.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
