Dec
21
Victory Party
Filed Under Devotional
I think it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to be the winning quarterback in the Super Bowl. Few of us have ever been at the absolute peak of our profession on a stage where millions of people know your name and columnists write thousands of words about your abilities. I get completely wound up just watching these guys play, I can’t imagine the depths and heights they experience living it every day.
From time to time, you hear about cases of players who were injured for the entire season when their team wins the championship. I often wonder what it’s like to be that guy. Or, what is it like to be the last guy on the bench on the team that wins it all? Sure, you’re happy and excited to be around it, but isn’t it something less than the guy being asked to do all the interviews? Is the high any less than the guy who gets put on the Wheaties box? I would imagine so. There’s happiness and joy, but nothing like the guys who play every day.
I heard this analogy used to compare the difference between those who are saved, but don’t live the life and those who pursue it with all passion. The good news is that saved means saved. If you give your heart to Jesus, you’re in. The only question remaining is what will it be like when you get there.
We’ll all be delighted to be in the presence of our Savior and our God. But, those who put in the time to follow Him here, will be able to tell the difference when we get there. The victory will be sweeter. The celebration will have deeper meaning. It will all be just that much better.
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
It’s the trials and the struggles that train you to be the person God needs you to be. It’s the suffering through the hard work and the long days that makes winning the championship more meaningful.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
So, I’m glad you’re on the winning team. Now, how good do you want that victory party to feel?