“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”

1 Corinthians 9:24 MSG

“He shoots, he scores” that’s a familiar sound you’ll hear when watching hockey on TV!  Tonight I went to my stepson Brandon’s hockey game.  I was nervous when the other team scored first, but his team was playing to win tonight!  Win they did, with a final score of 6 to 3 and 3 of those goals were assisted by Brandon!  (Bragging…yes!)  It was such an exciting game to watch because the boys were so focused on winning to the very end.
Not so exciting are the games when the team gets behind and they give up.  I know it frustrates Brandon.  He’s a kid who strives to win in everything he does.  Captain of two hockey teams, he plays to win!
Life can be like a game of hockey.  When we’re gaining on things it’s easy to stay excited and focused on winning.  We can be friendlier, happier and take more chances, when things are going well.  It’s harder to stay focused and keep that victor mentality when we start falling behind.  Our speed decreases along with our ambition.  Soon we’ve gone from “full-speed-ahead” to sitting on the bench.  Too many times we just take ourselves out of the game.  We give up when we need to rally ourselves and exercise our hope because we serve the God of the great comebacks!  Just think of Calvary and what looked like sure defeat.  Remember that Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday and Christ’s resurrection!  God desires for you to win and His Word assures it.  So keep the faith and Run to Win!
Prayer:
Father…I thank-you for guiding me by example.  Thank-you that when I put my faith in you I will be an overcomer!  Help me to not look at my circumstances, whether good or bad, but to trust in You and keep running to Win so that I can one day receive the eternal prize You have for me!  In Jesus name, Amen