Image via WikipediaA guest preacher at our church this past Sunday told the following story:
When it is 1:00 pm in the Eastern Time zone, it is only 7 am in Hawaii. That makes for some interesting television.
The preacher has a friend who lives in Hawaii and loves football. When Monday night football is being shown live here, it is played later as a tape delayed in Hawaii.
The friend told the preacher that when his favorite team plays, he will listen to the game live over the radio, then watch it taped later that evening.
“The fumbles and missed tackles and penalties aren’t so bad when you know the final results. I watch the game with an entirely different perspective because I know who wins,” he said.
Say that last line slowly to yourself.
Powerful, isn’t it?
I watch the game with an entirely different perspective because I knew who wins. Wow, what a statement.
As Christians isn’t that how we should try to live?
We know Who has already won the battle. God defeated sin and death. With God, we are victorious.
Yet I dwell on my fumbles, focus on what is wrong with me when I missed opportunities, and fail to find the positive in learning from my mistakes. I concentrate too much on the insignificant incidentals in life and lose sight of the triumphant ending.
I am going to work on living life with a different perspective knowing God has already won. Join me?
ooo Susan interesting thought. No wonder the evil one works so hard since he knows he is the loser in the end. He distracts and discourage us so we forget that fact.
This story really does stick with you doesn’t it?
Interesting perspective.
This also means that the powers of darkness know that they lose in the end! Yes, gives me chills too.
What an encouraging thought — I know who wins. The victory always belongs to God — I love being on His side.
The story in this sermon was one of three he shared and all three have stuck with me this week. A sign of a very good sermon if it lingers, don’t you think?
This reminded me of something my daughter told me from a Chip Ingram book she is reading. . .
We don’t fight for victory . . . we fight from a place of victory. Yup, we know how it ends.
Fondly,
Glenda
Yes! What a huge perspective shift! I will plant this deeply in my heart!
Such a powerful truth that is, isn’t it Jean? Knowing that God’s already won the battle should certainly allow us to move past our difficulties, but in our brokenness it’s still a daily struggle for most.
Either way, it’s something we should all strive and pray for!
Great post!
Have a Blessed Day Jean!
excellent message love the analogy…
Love this perspective, Jeanie! I’ve heard it said, “I’ve read the end of the Book, and I know who wins.”
Jean, that gave me chills! We DO know Who wins! God has already won this battle. Praise God!
“The fumbles and missed tackles and penalties aren’t so bad when you know the final results. I watch the game with an entirely different perspective because I know who wins,”
Fantastic!