Stay in the Game

By: Randal Myers

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Fall is a great time of year for sports fans. We find ourselves at this time of the year able to enjoy watching sporting events of almost every type. The U.S. Women's Soccer Team is in competition and on television. Baseball is in the playoffs preceding the World Series. Football is in full swing on every level. There are golf tournaments, tennis matches including the U.S. Open and many more.

Serious athletes often play under less than perfect circumstances. I recently read that Lou Gherig, the noted New York Yankees star first baseman during the 1920's and ë30's, upon his retirement, had his hands X-rayed to reveal that every finger on both hands had been broken at least once. The most remarkable thing is that in 2130 consecutive games, he never missed an outing. In other words, he must have played hurt in many of those games. His passion for the game and for his personal achievement kept him in the game.

Many times in our Christian walk, we also must fight through the pain and stay ìon the field.î Life isn't always enjoyable, but we can't afford to quit. There is no ìbench timeî for the serious Christian. The Apostle Paul was evidently an athlete; or at least a fan. Several times in his writings he makes references to or illustrations of sporting events. He speaks of races, boxing matches, physical training and the like. In writing to the Corinthians he says, ìEveryone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.î

The stakes of the ìGame of Lifeî are so much greater than any sporting event. Our passion and desire must continue as we push through the hurts and pains that are bound to besiege all of us from time to time. Don't ever quitÖthere is victory for those who stay in ìThe Game!î

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