Never would I have thought I would or could listen to a soccer game on the radio. But yesterday I did and was actually able to follow the match, surprisingly being interested. It was probably because I'm always intrigued with sports history; and I couldn't pass up hearing that the United States could win its way into the second round for the first time in decades. So here I am, riding on 85 North listening to the U.S. make a thrilling comeback against Portugal...only to give it away in the last 30 seconds.
As if Portugal was going to roll over and die. As if Rolando, one of the best players in the world, was gonna be embarrassed by the Americans. The U.S. had to think one of those statements was gospel, because an ability not to do something as simple as kick the ball out of bounds didn't seem to enter our national teams' mind. In the end it was the will to not lose that conquered the day. And Portugal understood that how uncharacteristically poor they played in the second half didn't make a difference. There was still time on the clock. There was still a chance to win the game.
How unfortunate it is when we're ahead in the game...when we can almost start making arrangements for the next round...when we can virtually see the desired goal in our grips, and we quit. We assume that we've done all that's necessary for victory and haven't considered that there is still time left; and that the enemy is not going to best utilize the last few seconds to wreck our plans. So we make careless mistakes and don't give as much effort. We settle for moves that we believe are suitable, that are good enough, that'll do just fine. We start out with such fire and passion to win, but we end with a coasting mentality...and then are appalled when we leave as losers.
In Matthew 24:13, Jesus tells his followers that the people who stand firm to the end will be saved. Now, we've all heard the saying about life being a marathon and not a sprint. Because in long distance running it's important to establish a pace that will allow for consistent speed and breathing; making way for the type of endurance that's needed for a strong finish. And as cliche as that might sound I am witnessing many senior citizens who ran the good, strong race for Christ for over 50 years; and have struggled to keep up the same intensity for the last 5; greatly risking obtaining the victory that's theirs. In the same breath, so many of us get frustrated or bored with the process of achievement that we slack off, aimlessly going through the motions. We think because we're close to the end we can let off, but actually that attitude moves us further away from the finish line.
Remember how excited you were when you got that idea for that business? How inspired you were to go back to school? How determined you were to be a good husband or wife, father or mother? You gotta keep that flame burning. You must believe that every second of your work, from begining to the end, will produce that result you've been dreaming of. You have to know that your faith in Christ is not based on your feelings, your frustration, or your vanity. But it is confirmed by what He already won, with your diligence is confirming the winning. Don't just assume you've done enough. Keep working, keep praying, keep serving, keep enduring. Win....from the start....to the end.
Peace
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