13 Days to Christmas. Saturday, Dec 12, 2020

"Stay in the Game!"

This weekend, thousands of athletic games will be played across America. In most of the games, one team will win while the other team will lose. Though half of the players on the field or court will endure a loss, they still gain in physical, mental, and emotional strength. Coaches and athletes recognize this more than ever this year, as many games have been postponed or even canceled because of the pandemic. Even the most lopsided “losses” can now be viewed from the perspective of “at least we were able to play.”

This Holiday Season, we recognize the personal benefits of staying in the game. Though we are restricted and even quarantined, we have been able to discover hope, peace, joy, and love in places that we previously may have overlooked. We have learned much from our experiences this year, and this Christmas, though it might be viewed as a “loss” by many, may be helping us become stronger.

Reflecting on the challenges we’ve experienced this year, most of us would agree that staying in the game is our primary objective. Staying safe and healthy has a new meaning, with some of us becoming full-time irritators to our loved ones, encouraging them to be safe and healthy.

Win or Lose, God is always at work. Many years from now, some of us may reflect upon the 2020 Holiday Season as a loss. But we will not be able to deny the growth we experienced through it. More than merely surviving, may it be that, by grace and perseverance, we will look back and find we were thriving!

Be careful. Play smart, follow the rules, and Stay in the Game!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV)