Leadership Awakeningনমুনা

It’s Not over Till It’s Over 

If you have ever practiced any kind of sports, you know that it does not matter how the game, race, or match starts—the most important and fundamental thing is how it actually ends. This is the message that the apostle Paul shares with us in our reading for today,

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” 

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 MSG

It is a vivid description and a clear warning. The runner needs to run hard and stay alert if he or she wants to arrive at the finish line successfully. My favorite phrase from these verses says, “Run to win.” If you want to win, there are practical steps to consider. You need to plan ahead and to be disciplined because you must train hard. You will also need to watch out for what you are eating; you need strength to be able to train as much as possible. Your diet is essential. My question now is, “What are you eating? Where do you get your strength from? Think about how you are spiritually “feeding” yourself.

Remember that the reward you will obtain will never fade. So, give everything you have got. This means, “No sloppy living!” Stay alert and in top condition. Just think about how much effort, planning, discipline, and work you would need if you had to train to win a marathon. Have you noticed that I did not say “run” a marathon but “win” a marathon? Run to win.

Some of you reading this devotional may wonder if it is too late to finish well. Maybe you have sinned, perhaps your mind is full of doubts and fear because you have run and trained before. You already know how much it will cost you. You feel like giving up. 

Please, allow me to encourage you with the words of the great American philosopher and baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Isn’t that good news? As long as there’s still breath in your lungs, the game isn’t over. There’s still hope for a turnaround. The gold medal can still be yours. 

Provoke-A-Thought:

Our true legacy does not come from the sermons we preach or how many people follow us on Twitter or other social media. It is not the size of our business, church or ministry. The lives we live before we enter the portals of eternity will determine the influence we have and the influence we will leave for the next generation.