Picture this: The Big Game 1982 California verses Stanford……..The score is 20-19 —– 4 seconds to go, with Stanford on top. Now surely as all of us would have thought California thought this one is the bag. Four seconds to go. So California kicks off the ball and Stanford receives it and California players are swarming around the receiver ……… the band thought the receiver was down, the game was over and come bursting on the field celebrating the win…………………….However, they was not aware that there had been a lateral pass, actually five by the end of the play, and California’s Kevin Moen made his way not only through the defense of Stanford but through their band celebrating victory already. California wins the game 25-20.
This is one the most famous, most controversial games in college football history. Today when I was listening to the radio I heard this story, I was wondering what was going through everyone’s mind in the last four seconds of this game? Victory, yes!!!! Hope, Obviously!!!! We might lose, I am sure someone thought that!!!!!! Then I began to think …………….
I have this very dear woman in my life. I so adore and love her. Sometimes I look at her with wonder ….. She has been through so much yet she is full of life and love. She has sadly been through two divorces, raised four kids, has had to deal with several sickness, was raised up in a family who never really showed love, she has been abused mentally and physically, she has lost so many people dear to her.
BUT YET SHE HAS SMILE THAT WILL LIGHT UP ANY ROOM OR LIFE.
This story got me to thinking of why???? How could she smile when a doctor has given her a report that would make so many people fall completely apart and give up? How could she continue to believe in true love after two marriages that has ended because of adultery? How could she possibly be sane after raising four kids and the challenges that it brings? How could she love so many people unconditionally when she was raised in a home where love was no the front-runner??
I’ll tell you how……………………… She never gave up!!!!!
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
There is so many times in our lives we just feel like throwing it all in. Just quitting. The heartache, the pain, the tears, the trials, the guilt………is it really worth it???? We aren’t going to make it no matter how hard we try. That is when we need to realize that these are the times like this football team and this wonderful woman who I know; that we need to push our chest back and stand tall……because we are victorious through the BLOOD OF CHRIST!!!!
Even though the devil might have already sent his band out on your field and began to celebrate thinking that they aren’t to make it, this is too much for them to bear. This will defiantly take them out for sure. But…… (I do love that word) BUT he doesn’t know what we know…… he thinks he does but he does not……his vision is blurred……. He can’t see the last for seconds of the game. The Lord told us not to give up, not to surrender, not to grow weary because as bleak as some situations may seem there is a promise coming, VICTORY!!!!!! We are never a failure, never a nothing, never unloved……..never alone……….we will and shall make it if we only hang on, if only we never give up!!!!!!
My prayer for you today……..
Dear Jesus, my precious Lord….. There has been so many times in my life I felt like just throwing my hands up and giving up. Yet I don’t. And the reason is you have planted a seed in my life that is growing daily…….the seed of resurrection power. I thank you so Lord for that…..but I ask today Dear Lord help those who can’t seem to keep up with life and the changes it brings. Help those who are tired and weary and cannot seem to see the light at the end of their tunnel. Help them take their next step…..help them get the mentality to keep pushing on in their race. Provide them with the grace and love that they need so dearly to be overcomers…to be victorious…… Help them to discover FAITH IN YOU!!!!!!!
In your precious and holy name, Jesus
Darlene
