Everyone desires to win. Not many things in life feel as good. Winning boosts the ego. It repairs self-esteem. Winners get the highest compensation and the utmost praise. Tickertape parades are reserved for winners only. Winners surround themselves with other winners. There is no losers' circle. No child fanaticizes about being down by one point in the fourth quarter with seconds left on the clock, only to miss and lose the championship. We dream of winning big. Winners cross the finish line first. They run faster, jump higher. They don't settle for less. Winners give more. They are more than enough. They expect miracles. Winners defeat giants, slay dragons, win the princess and live out their days in castles. Everyone wants to win; therefore no one wants to lose.
I recently joined a basketball league at one of the local churches to get some exercise, fellowship with Christian brothers, and let off some steam and stress. Last year our team went undefeated. We took home two trophies, and had the title of champions. This year my team isn't so good. We are really not that good. Of course I thoroughly enjoy the games, showing off my outdated skills and fellowshipping with men. But there is a competitive spirit within me that desires nothing more than to win. And win big. However, usually it is the team that we are playing that has more points at the end of the game – sometimes ten or even twenty points more. It is disheartening, not because we didn't win the game, but because a few of my teammates will give up late in the game and feel defeated. No longer are they hustling to get that loose ball. They will stop playing defense. They will complain more to the referee. They will look to get fouled instead of looking for the open man. In essence they make us lose. We would be five points down late in the game and suddenly it would balloon to fifteen. They throw their hands in the air and walk off the court in frustration. I try to never lose (Philippians 3:12-14).
God is calling on us to never give up (James 1:2-4). He wants us to push through to the end and not stop until He gets the glory out of our lives (Hebrews 10:32-36). God is asking us to trust Him and allow the greatness locked within us to manifest itself in all that we do. He often will send an oppositional force to test our resolve and ability to call upon Him to get us to the winner's circle (Hebrews 12:7-13). Life is not a game. But how you do anything is an indication and a reflection on how you will do everything. If you stop and allow the enemy to defeat you in little things, the greater forces will decimate you. If you cannot push past the obstacles in pursuit of small goals, chances are that you will fall short of your larger ones. God is asking us to fight the temptation to quit. He is saying that we should not depend on the scoreboard to determine how we feel. No matter how many points the enemy puts up, we should be consistent in our faith and walk with our heads held high so that we can grow (Romans 15:4-6).
The other night we were playing one of the best teams. The first time we played them they beat us by thirty-eight points. But this particular night we kept it very close. We played defense very well. We passed the balls and communicated better. We rebounded. We scored – often. We kept our spirits high and encouraged one another. We were determined to come out on top and agreed at the beginning of the game to leave it all on the court. With only a few seconds left in the game we had the ball and down by only two points. I had the ball, time was running out. I passed it to my teammate who was wide open for a three pointer. He shot it. Time expired. Our team erupted in cheers and high fives. The other team looked puzzled. They looked up at the scoreboard to confirm what they already knew: they had two more points than we did. The team captain shouted over, "Hey, what ya'll so happy for? Ya'll lost!" We fought through to the end. We never gave up and did our best. We gained a new respect and brought it down to the wire. Our time had arrived (Ecclesiastics 9:11). I smiled. No, we didn't lose. We just didn't win.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all things in my life. Thank You for allowing me to share the gifts that you have given me. Please use me Lord to spread Your Word throughout this world. May something I You have given me to say be used as a torch in a darkened tunnel. Allow Your light to shine within me so that You get the glory out of my life. Help me to win Your favor so that I could help heal Your flock. In Your precious and Holy Name I pray. Amen.
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