While I was growing up I played a lot of sports. Unfortunately, it seemed that I was always on bad teams. So bad in fact, that my teams inevitably won the “Sportsmanship” trophy, given to us mainly because we didn’t give up while losing most of the time. Frankly, I didn’t like that. I wanted to win.
Several years ago, Herm Edwards, professional football coach, gave a press conference after losing a game. He got a bit frustrated with the questioning and summed up his frustration by emphatically stating, “We play the game to win!” The video of his statement went viral and is famous in the sports world. It reflects the attitude and heart of every athlete. Athletes and coaches are consumed with thoughts of winning.
While participating in sports, I did my best to win. Unfortunately, there are many areas of my life that I didn’t always do my best. Sometimes I just gave a minimal effort to get a job done or fulfill a responsibility. What kind of an impact could I have made if I always gave my best to my wife, my family, my church, my job, my friends, and my community? Paul writes to the church in Corinth, encouraging them to give their best by saying: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
Life is a marathon with many opportunities to make a positive impact. Let’s give it our best under the guidance and in the power of God!
Reluctant Retiree 