This Game Of Life

March 2, 2003

            The men of my household like to tape football games.  They enjoy replaying tapes to friends who missed certain plays.  Even though my grandsons have seen the actual game, they have fun replaying the video.  They like to share the game with friends so they all can see who fumbles the ball, misses the goal or intercepts the passes.

            Jody and Cody know the ending score so they don’t get excited about the “ups and downs” of the game.

            Life is like a football game.  There are obstacles to overcome.  You may drop the ball.  Problems may “tackle” you.  You may have a 10-yard penalty now and then.  There may be more month than money; unrest in marriages, illness, or concern for a loved one.  The score may be “49 to 0” in the opponent’s favor, but in all of these situations, you are “more than a conqueror.”

  The Greater One is in charge, and he already knows the score at the end of the game.  Those on God’s side win.

            We are not moved by setbacks and circumstances.

  Our guide is God’s Word inside us, the shield of faith before us and the sword of the spirit in our speech.  We are armed and dangerous.

            Knowing this, we walk in a “faith-rest peace.”  Why get upset at daily interruptions?  Compared to eternity, earthly trials are just a vapor.

  We are winners!  We don’t have to wait until we get to the finish line to cheer.  All of us can be cheerleaders now.  Each day is an opportunity to do something for God.

            Encourage someone today.  Find the good.  Smile, shake hands, give a pat on the back and hug someone.  Live life with gusto.

            I have been with people who get upset at the way a ball game is going.  They get anxious, nervous and pound on the furniture or yell at the television set.

            There is always someone in the crowd who has seen the game before or had attended the original game.  They know the score and they remain calm and serene.

            We can be that way too.  We already know how the game turns out.  God is not a man that he can lie.  He is faithful and true to his promises.

            God’s child acts like a winner, thinks like a winner, and talks like a winner.  It’s great to be alive in this game of life.  Tell someone today:

            “We win.  I’ve read the last page and I know the final score!”