My husband and I visited Lexington that night for a weekend getaway. We failed to think about the situation we placed ourselves in by doing so. Blue-bleeding individuals surrounded this Crimson-bleeding couple as the game began. I went on upstairs to finish watching in the room. My husband hung around for a while but came upstairs after losing his joy in the game. Everyone around him kept cheering loudly against his team and firmly supporting those players wearing blue.
The score did not differ too much during the first half. IU fought with fouls which landed star players on the bench to prevent anymore for the half. Both teams played hard, focused on victory. The game was up and down the court for the most part. The fouls and errors allowed UK to gain points each time. After the half, I fell asleep, but read the recap the following day. IU lost, finished up their season without a ring and trophy and went home to watch the rest of the tournament on TV. I see it as IU played to their best ability, scored 90 points against a top-seeded team, made it this far in the tournament and have rebuilt a once 'lost' team. UK was just too big, too quick and too good for IU, THIS YEAR!
Do you ever feel like the challenge before you is too big? Do you feel Satan is too quick with his schemes? Do you feel Satan is just too good in the game?
Coming against the 'rival' in your life can be very intimidating and challenging. You have been here before, you know what moves he will make and each play he brings to the game. You approach with your game face on and tools found in this world to try and gain victory.
Two paths lay ahead of you: the one that follows Jesus and the one that follows the world. Following Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Savior washes away sin and provides victory. Jesus provides the tools needed to gain strength and wisdom when facing trials. The world provides tools that actually support and aid Satan in his moves. He uses these to make plays which gain power and tighten the bondage in our lives. Refuse the path with worldly tools which steal joy. Take the path leading to victory and joy with each step.
The game will come. Be ready. Stand firm on Truth. Lean on the Coach to see you through the toughest of plays. He will provide the exact move which will stomp the opponent and lead one step closer to victory. Though it may seem like the enemy is ahead from time to time, focus on the victory you have in accepting Him as Coach over your life. You chose the right team and no matter the ranking or power our opponent believes he possesses, he is already defeated.
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (Philippians 3:13-15)
If one game, you fall short (and we all will), run to Coach and He will pick you up. He will dust you off, wrap His arms around you and love you unconditionally! Okay, so THIS TIME was not the best outcome; learn from it and give it to Him. He knows you are striving each day to follow Him. He sees your heart. Focus on the victory we have in Him and never lose hope. With each game, we gain more tools and gain strength for the next game faced.
God, thank you for another day. Thank You for washing my sins away by sending Your only Son to die and claim victory over the enemy. I remain on Your team and listen to every move needed to destroy the plays of Satan. Should I fall, help me up and show me the mistake made so I can learn and be strengthened for those challenging games yet to come. Keep my eyes focused on the victory I have in You. I love You.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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