We all need a win

November 10, 12:44 AMDetroit Methodist ExaminerJeremy Laura

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Datsyuk drives the net - Traverse City, MI - photography by Jennifer Laura

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaven-ward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14

Welcome to Tuesday.  Did your day begin in a quiet place?  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20894-Detroit-Methodist-Examiner~y2009m11d9-Finding-a-quiet-place  As things continue to get more and more hectic the need to find that moment of peace will continue to grow.  There is another important part of our walk with God to focus on this week.  That is, we all need a win.  We all need to find ourselves in the place where we have overcome adversity.  Even though our lives are strengthened by the times in the valley, the mountain view we receive serves as a great way to conclude those chapters in our lives.  For all of us here in Michigan, wins seem to be a bit harder to come by.

I'm sure that this year the jokes are going to sound a bit like this:  A Detroit Red Wings fan is sitting with a Detroit Lions fan and a University of Michigan football fan.  All three are staring at the ground in dismay because of a difficult season.  Finally, the Red Wings fan speaks up.  "What a terrible year.  We have lost 4 great players to injuries and we aren't scoring any goals.  We can barely put together a three game winning streak, and we were just blown out by the worst team in the league.  Worse than that, we can't seem to get over a .500 average on the season.  I have no idea how we are going to have another shot at the Stanley Cup this year!"  The two football fans stare at the ground for a minute and think about this.  Finally, they both reply in unison, "man, you're lucky!" 

For anyone who follows each of these sports, it is obvious that both the Detroit Lions and the Michigan Wolverines would give anything to have a record around .500 right now.  The thought of a post-season run to a championship title for either of those teams seems so unlikely that no serious fan will even discuss it.  Many in Detroit have traded the idea of winning, for one of just trying to lose less often.  That is a sad trade indeed.  The hunger for things to turn around in sports, industry, politics and finance seems to have a much deeper root right now.  There is a spiritual hunger that is showing through in each of these areas.  Simply put, when things are going well in one area or another, spiritual hunger can be put off by these quick fixes.  When there is money rolling in and our teams are winning, people are much happier.  However, when these temporary trappings go away, the emptiness shines through.  Many people find themselves completely without hope when there is nothing left to hide behind.  The desperation that is felt in those moments can lead to either a very good decision or a very bad decision.  God has always used the point of desolation for the good of His people.  All throughout the Old Testament there are cycles of Israel turning from God when things are good, finding themselves desolate, repenting, and turning back to God.  However, as soon as things are good again, the cycle seems to quickly repeat itself.  It seems that God is more concerned with making a powerful change in our lives than in a temporary feel good moment.  So, how do we reconcile our need for "immediate gratification" with God's will and desire for us?  The answer is, we need to change our definition of what it means to win.  Listen to this statement for Jesus.  "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell"(Matthew 5:29).  Wow, that is certainly not "feel good" theology, but there is a deeply positive message there.  This verse can be said another way.  "God loves you enough to let you lose something you really want because in the end it will hurt you.  When you learn to let go of those things, you will begin to see that there is a world of blessing waiting for you in eternity."  In the temporal setting, this can be very painful.  Most of us can not see at the time that the job, the house, or the income that we lose is really God's way of directing us toward a blessing.  It is unfortunate that these things can stand in our way of drawing near to God, but they can.  Many find themselves pouring all of their energy into saving a job that is tearing them away from everything else in their lives.  Others find themselves pouring every resource they have into a home that they knew they could not afford but were sure that it would make them happy.  The misery can stretch on for what seems to be a lifetime.  However, many people who lived in constant fear of losing their job find themselves relieved when they actually do.  There is still concern over income, but the constant worry became so overwhelming that they finally feel free to move on.  In the midst of a crisis, we as people rarely recognize how bad the situation is until we are on the other side.  We can then look back and pray for wisdom that things never get that bad again. 

So, do you need a win?  It is very possible that your win may begin with a loss.  That is the cornerstone of Christianity.  Christ had to die in order to resurrect.  In order to conquer death, He faced it and sacrificed Himself for us.  Our spiritual life begins with a death to ourselves.  And, building God's kingdom "on earth as it is in Heaven" often means dismantling our own kingdom first.  If you are going to really run the race, then you have to be able to release the chains that keep you from starting it.  Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong made an astonishing statement once.  It was not until after his battle with cancer that he won that incredibly taxing race.  He made the observation that, because of his bout with cancer he was later able to get in the kind of shape he needed to be in to truly compete on a higher level.  His brush with death led to the greatest victories of his professional life.  His break through came after he was truly broken.

So, before you find that amazing break through, it is time to look in the mirror.  Is there something holding you back from being the best that God wants you to be?  While many are hoping to win the lottery, their true financial blessing may be learning to be a better steward.  Those who are hoping to climb the ladder of success may realize that they are trying to climb the wrong ladder.  If every effort for greatness seems to pull you farther from God, then what you are looking for is not that great.  God wants each of us to win in the most important race of all.  His desire is for us to attain eternal life, and to become more like Him in our walk here on earth.  He wants a closeness with us that overshadows everything we could ever hope to gain or achieve.  In order to help us find that, He will allow us to lose everything that would hold us back.  What we lose will never compare to what we gain.  Jesus gave it all so that we could become, "more than conquerors".  Are you ready for the biggest win of your life?  It is waiting for you at the foot of the cross.

God bless each and every one of you who reads this today.  May you truly be blessed in your walk with Christ.  Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Veterans Day, and look at the mark of a true hero.  Please be sure to stop by as we continue together in this great gift called life.  Until then, God bless and keep reading.