It's not over till it's over

Leading by 21 points late in the fourth quarter is a good feeling.  It may even be a good time to relax and start concentrating on some other task.  Well, if you witnessed the finish to last Friday's football game against Pope John Paul II, you know what I mean when I say, "it's not over till it's over." 

The score was 47 - 26 with only a few minutes left in the game, but the enemy kept attacking.  They scored once, recovered an on-side kick, scored again, recovered an onside kick, and with 14 seconds to go, on a field so dark the referees turned the offense around so the last play would be directed toward a light in the parking area, the QB scrambled and as the time expired, he launched a desperation pass to an uncovered receiver standing on the 5 yard line, who ran it in for the score.  All the other team had to do to pull off the "impossible" comeback was kick the extra point and the game would have been tied.  Fortunately, for the CCA Eagles, their parents, and their fans the extra point was "no good".  CCA won 47-46.

I, along with the faithful crowd who endured the 3 hour and 20 minute game, felt excited to win, relieved we didn't lose, and curious about how this game got to be so close.  Was it too dark to see?  Did the other team play really well in the fourth quarter?  Or, did we simply lose focus and fail to execute down the stretch?

One thing we do know is the Christian walk can be just like this football game.  Just when things get comfortable and we start to feel good about our effort (and not the work of the Lord), darkness creeps in and the enemy has an opportunity to defeat us.  As Christians, we need to put on the armor of God and be prepared to battle until the clock shows 00:00 (or the final trumpet sounds).  Disciples of Jesus can never let up.  There can't be a day when we say, "I don't need to rely on Christ. I don't need to pray about my kids today.  I don't need to pray about how to use my time." (Search Light, John Courson) 

Let me encourage all of us to stand firm in the faith, be on guard, and be strong, especially if you think the battle is over.  In this world we will face trials and tribulations daily, but the good news is Jesus has overcome this world and the final battle IS over.  Jesus has won and offers ALL who believe an eternity of victories.