Bill Belichick, coach of the New England Patriots, made a decision.

In a recent game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Pats possessed the ball and a six-point lead with barely two minutes left in the game.

Here’s the picture. Pats ball on their own 27. Fourth down. Most coaches punt the ball and play defense in that situation. Not Belichick.

With his defense pooped, the coach went for a first down. It failed. The Colts promptly scored and won the game.

The second-guessing began.

“What was Belichick thinking?” asked sports reporters and fans. Of course, hindsight turned them into experts. Belichick made his decision, however, based on the best information he had at the time.

“Would you do it again in that situation?” an interviewer asked. Belichick wisely answered, “You only get one chance.”

During the first Advent season, Mary toyed with second guessing God. An angel informed her she would bear a child without having been with a man.

“How can this be?” she queried. She wondered, “Has God gone mad?”

Quickly, however, Mary came to her senses after the angel assured her God’s power remained at her disposal. “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary declared. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (Luke 1:38).

She gave God his chance.

How often do you second-guess God?

Do you give Him a chance to prove His faithfulness?

Humans tend to question God’s actions when we possess no ability to see the big picture as God does.

Advent reminds us that when given a chance, God comes through.

Even the most capable football coach makes the wrong call occasionally. But not God.

Use these weeks before Christmas to prepare yourself to receive God’s grace gift of a living Christ.

You’re wasting your time second–guessing Him.

Darryl Wood is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vincent. He can be reached by e–mail at dwood132@fbcvincent.org.