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
This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
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With your permission I will use this as a sermon this coming football season.
Text will be fight the good fight.
Win the race, fight the good fight! Go for it brother!
Just catching up and this post and the previous one spoke to me. Thank you.
I’m glad!
Although I am not a big football fan, this struck such a chord in me. I have reached the age where I often wonder why I wasted so much of my life living in the world doing the worldy things. I am trying hard now to live every day for Jesus. I have only recently started photography and through it have been able to meet so many people. Thank you for your wisdom! Reading your blog has helped me see that my photography work with families and teens can show them the love of the Lord. Thank you again. I hope some day I will be able to attend one of your workshops. Maybe next time you are out West since I live in AZ.
Thanks Barb, hope you can! Use your new found hobby to bless others!
Bill, thanks for this post. Could you share the name of the author of this book? I’d like to read it. Thanks.
Thanks for this Bill. You have given me a lot to think about as I work through what I hope is my third quarter. I have definitely felt Him working in my life and my heart more in the last couple of years than ever before. I need to be very still and really grab what He is telling me.
Bless you brother!