U-Turn

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

– Matthew 1:21

Turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie weren’t the only treats on this Thanksgiving’s menu. In addition to consuming thousands of calories in a single sitting, millions of Americans also tuned into three National Football League matchups — another beloved holiday tradition. With that in mind, let’s rewind almost a century for more gridiron competition … but this time involving a legend named Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels.

It was the 1929 Rose Bowl, and Riegels — who played center for the University of California Golden Bears — retrieved his teammate’s fumble on the Georgia Tech 30-yard line. But instead of simply falling on the ball or advancing it, Riegels turned around and dashed 69 yards in the wrong direction toward his own team’s end zone. Golden Bear quarterback Benny Lonn finally caught up to his confused teammate at the 3-yard line and tried to turn him around. But it was too late, and the Georgia Tech defense swarmed over Riegels and tackled him just in front of the end zone.

The result? The Golden Bears eventually lost the game 8-7, while opponent Georgia Tech claimed their second national championship. After his infamous play, Riegels was in despair. 

“Coach, I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.” 

“Roy,” responded his coach, Nibs Price, “Get up and go back out there — the game is only half over.”

That’s good advice for anyone who’s made a wrong turn or two in life, which means all of us. And it’s also a reminder that centuries before Roy Riegels lost his way on the football field, Jesus assured his own followers that they wouldn’t lose theirs once he completed his earthly mission and returned to God:

“If you love me, you will keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever,” Christ explained. “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”

Later, Jesus added: “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”

For modern-day Christ-followers like you and me, the Holy Spirit empowers us to do God’s will and bear fruit for his kingdom. That’s why we should always remain alert to his prompts and teachings, which can come from just about anywhere. It might be a Bible passage that pops out with new meaning. Or maybe it’s a spiritual truth that emerges during a Small Group discussion. And the Holy Spirit can also speak through a conversation with a friend or stranger, or even out of an odd circumstance in the workplace. The possibilities are endless.

Let’s remember that the Holy Spirit — our wonderful Counselor — doesn’t just give us advice. He also exposes the truth and invites transformation. So, have you gone the wrong way along your faith journey? He’s ready to help you make that much-needed U-turn.