Over his remarkable ten-year career, Barry Sanders scored 109 touchdowns. Not once did he celebrate by spiking the ball or doing a crazy end-zone dance. After each score, he simply ran over to a referee and handed him the ball.
Why no celebration?
Sanders explained, “The job wasn’t finished yet.” There was still more time on the clock and there were more more games to be won. He said the only time he would ever spike the ball would be if he scored the winning touchdown on the last play of a Super Bowl.
It’s okay to celebrate great plays. But don’t spike the ball until the game is over.
The final book of the Bible tells us when to spike the ball: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:4-5).
Recovery Step: Keep putting points on the board. There will be plenty of time to spike the ball later.
