Also Ran!
Then the LORD said to Joshua,
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
(Joshua
8 vs.1)
Being an also ran is a way of life. We rarely finish first. As many of you know
I detest the famous Vince Lombardi quote, “Winning isn’t everything it is the
only thing.” Here are some examples: My friend Pat McNamara qualified in four
different Olympics and did not win a medal; my brother Wayne swam for years and
was a national top ten in four events but never had a national championship;
Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski played years for the Red Sox and never
received a world series ring; and the list goes on! None of the above is a
loser and all were or are proud of their accomplishments.
In my personal instance, I have three triathlon trophies out of 28 races; a
second, a third and an only! There was always someone faster until my 72nd
in 2011 when no one else my age competed. Did I lose? Never. In each Triathlon
that I did, in the last mile of the run I would well up with tears of joy from
the shear pride in my accomplishment. The pain experienced during the run would
go away, the legs would seem fresh again and the finishing sprint would feel
and look great. Second, Third or twentieth did not matter; I was winning
inside!
Clint Purvis, the team chaplain for Florida State University’s football team
under Bobby Bowden put it like this after a tough loss to Miami, “There is a
huge difference between getting beat in a game and being a loser.” Clint
reminded the team of the characteristics of being a winner:
1. A winner still remembers that God never forsakes
his own.
2. A winner must remember that it is always painful
and costly to claim victory again.
3. A winner will always remember the source of all
his blessings.
(From
Bobby Bowden’s Called to Coach, Howard Books, and 2010”
We rarely are number one but since God is always with us, we are always
winners.
Thought for Today: Today we will have battles we do not expect.
With God’s help, let us be winners no matter which way the battle turns
out!
Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we thank you for
being with us at all times in every place. We thank you because when you are
along we will be winners.
Amen
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