I’m an NFL fan, but this season I watched a handful of college games. During one particular Louisiana State University match-up, a somewhat inexperienced quarterback looked down field but couldn’t find any receivers. Pass rushers closed in and forced him to scramble. After the fruitless play ended, the commentator said, “Once he began to scramble, he could never get his eyes down field again.”

He simply couldn’t get back to the play. An experienced quarterback, however, can. Even under pressure, a veteran sees more than the immediate threats and pressures, and can quickly regain his focus after avoiding a sack. Pardon my fatherly, Kipling-esque attempt, but a lesson emerges from this story.

College is like practice, or maybe pre-season for your career. It will help you get ready, but only when that first big job begins will you realize how many “pass rushers” exist. You’ll be tempted to accept unfitting salary offers, to surrender to unhealthy co-worker distractions, to compromise on projects and budgets, and to lose balance of work and family and faith.

Some of these may get the best of you. In time, however, if you are diligent in your pursuit of and submission to God’s leading, you will gain a feel for the game and how to manage it wisely.

It may take all of your 20s or your entire working career for such a thing to develop. In the meantime, gather around you a community of helpers – both teammates and coaches. Keep them in your game as peers and guides, and someday, by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, you’ll be a veteran, too.