How Can You Make the Finals?
Welcome to another game of life – iron sharpens iron! Are you prepared? Do you understand that your leadership which blesses the people and honors God is your final goal? With that being said, a true winner works with this in mind – obedience to God. Obedience is the key to a final winning season. A great coach knows how to instruct for the win. A great instructor will guide one through obstacles and struggles.
Iron Sharpens Iron
First, one must listen to the skilled coach, who is familiar with details of the task. A great coach sees the potential of each individual on the team. The goal is to make you a winner and others will follow. Second, the coach knows you have embarked upon a difficult journey. He knows there are contenders as well as pretenders. But he also knows that iron sharpens iron. Therefore, you must run your race, not another individual’s race. Know this – the countdown began before you were on the field. The track has even been prepared for you. How well you listen to instructions and follow directions is a choice for finishing.
A Final Picture
Third down and the win is in sight. Do not lose sight of the final picture. That is, picture yourself at the finish line. What is the measurement of that success? There are examples – those who have led in the past.
The voices of those who are in opposition of the Truth, should not be louder than the voice of God. Psalm 24:8, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” That is your coach for servants of God. In contrary to obedience is to become vexed. Alternatively, you may become fixated on the iniquities (vices) of man. Such actions cause you to follow him instead of the Creator, who is the Great Coach. Consequently, a leader’s lack of integrity that leads to man pleasers, and do man’s unrighteousness. This is an unwise choice.
King Saul is as an example of one who turned back from following God (1 Samuel 10:11). Walking away from integrity is costly. It is most important that you walk in righteousness. God’s mercy is greater because it honors Truth.
The Spiritual Final
Many people believe they are in charge. Scripture reminds us that the earth is the Lord’s, and God is in charge. Everything belongs to Him – the world and we who live in this world.
You would think that this would give some people pause in how we react to others; unfortunately, it does not. For many people, they are on a “run-away-train” of destruction, and sadly, they are enjoying the ride. For others, it is bothersome, terrifying, and gripping to the natural eye to see things that people are willing to do for position, power, and money. God is not silent on these issues. In fact, He warns that we should seek those things above. The scripture says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).”
So, I choose to dwell on those of you who are engaged in working out your own soul salvation – your race. What does that mean? It means that perhaps you are one who is trying to make sense of this world, trying to be righteous in the sight of God and not man. First of all, remember the world is our temporary home – it is not our permanent residence. Do good; live peacefully with all men as much as possible.
More than a Sprinter You Should Be
You are not a sprinter. Yes, you are a finisher. It is said that there are ten different types of runners. You are in the category of THE VERY SERIOUS RUNNER. The very serious runner is in it to win it. Your goal is kingdom driven. Remember, the race is to the one who holds out to the end. You are going the distance from the starting line to the finish line.
You have been preparing for this race. Yes, preparing to run. How did you prepare for this race? You have been equipping and conditioning yourself for the hard fight. You know it has not been easy. But you remind yourself, put on the whole honor of God. What things do you have in your toolbox? How have you been able to move forward in the past when obstacles come? What has prepared you THEN, can prepare you NOW. You stripped yourself of things that weighed you down. Strip yourself of those things that will weigh you down NOW. Even if you trip, in this race, you get up and refocus.
A Great Coach on the Sideline
Let me leave you with this story of another coach who lived among us, Coach Vince Lombardi. In his “Will to Win” speech, Lombardi told the story of Olympian Sifan Hassan, an Ethiopian born woman of the Netherlands, to his followers. The story meant something because it is not that she won gold medals; it was how she ran her races.
During a women’s 1500m heat, she experienced a runner’s worst nightmare. She tripped and fell, losing valuable time while dropping well behind her competition. Without hesitation, Hassan got back on her feet and began sprinting as fast as she could. She would not allow her mishap to affect her focus or concentration. She passed 11 runners along the way. Relying on her preparation, training, and conditioning helped her to surge a comeback and ultimately win the race.
The Will to Win
Green Bay Packers Hall-of-Fame Coach Vince Lombardi said, “The will to win is not nearly so important as the will to prepare to win. Most people have the will to win. Most people enjoy winning and all that comes with it. The people willing to put in the hard work over the required time to prepare to win – are far more rare.”
What Lombardi saw in Ms. Hassan, was the desire to keep going. The one thing that Ms. Hassan had done was condition herself for winning.
“Winning, Lombardi said, is not a some time thing, it’s an all-time thing.” “You don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all of the time.” Preparation to win is connected to obedience. God understands the heart of man. Our condition is a sick one. However, the condition can be changed. Each individual must choose to be well in this race. Although you fall down, you get up, and compete – continue to run the race. That is what Hassan a winner.
Hassan possessed the will to win, the pursuit of doing things right all the time. Those who do anything to win are NOT winners – to demean, hurt others, are NOT winners. They will gain medals, but that is not what them winners. The pursuit of doing things right all the time makes you a winner in the sight of God. You influence others by being obedient to God. That is what will make you a sharpened iron as one Coached by the BEST.
Remember – you are a finisher – a very SERIOUS RUNNER. God is your coach. Be obedient to His Voice – prepared to FINAL.
For more like this one, check out “God Made Me a Winner.” or other related suggested posts:
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