Middle of the fourth quarter……

When I was in my very early 40’s,  some time ago, a dear friend gave me a wonderful book titled “The Second Half”.  It was  of course a football reference, suggesting that when a man gets to the mid point of life, he needs to re-access what his goals and commitments are to.  It was a very valuable book for me and was part of the turning point when I started to focus in on what I believe my purpose to be.

Taking the football analogy to the next step, and based on normal life expectancy figures, I am somewhere in the middle of the fourth quarter.  Being an avid football fan,  I know that many games are decided in the last ten minutes or so of the game.  You can flounder around and make a lot of mistakes throughout the first half, in the third quarter you need to keep it close and position yourself for closing the gap!  When the clock is ticking down during the fourth quarter it becomes critical, it is no time for stupid mistakes and fumbles!  In our spiritual life the same is true.  Let’s take a short break, If you’ve given your heart to Jesus the final outcome, for you, is already determined, you won, game over.  Your service however may be another thing, altogether.

When the clock is running down the most important battles must be won.  When I played ball, the fourth quarter was when  you hit the hardest, blocked the best, and wrapped up on every tackle!  If your goal is to lead people to Christ, this is when you want to be on top of your game.  That’s easy, trust in Him, and follow His lead.  Sometimes we want so bad to win people for Him, but we can’t in our own power, we have to leave it to Him.  Trust is hard until you see Him at work!  When you experience His overpowering love, you understand why you want to share him with those you love and have a burden for.

Well, the TV time out is over, got to get back on the field, there is a game to be won, and my coach is  calling the plays…..

Blessings,

the pilgrim