Buzzer Beater

Ready: 

“So that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:7 and 13  

Set: 

There are incredible last second shots on goal, last second half court shots, walk-off home runs, field goals kicked as time runs out. These are buzzer beater moments. The clock shows zero time left and the horn goes off. Game over! Players are running onto the field or court, giving hugs and high-fives. Water gets thrown on the player who made the shot. The crowd is so loud. They are yelling and screaming. The immediate celebrations are filled with emotions, excitement and pride. There might be fireworks and a band playing the team’s fight song.  

Maybe you’ve experienced a buzzer beater moment. You had the ball. You took the last shot. You made it and the euphoria erupts from your heart and through your body. You get mauled by your teammates and coaches. It’s a special moment. One that you’ll never forget.   

This is so much like what will happen when Jesus Christ returns to earth. The Scripture listed above from I Peter 1:7 and 13, refers to the revelation of Jesus Christ. It’s the moment in time when He returns to earth, in person, and He reveals Himself to humankind. It’s like the clock has been counting down and it finally reaches zero. The buzzer goes off. The horn sounds. He is here and He ushers in a whole new reality of life and eternity.   

While the clock is counting down, we need to keep working, playing, resting, reaching and all that life brings. The Scripture says also tells believers that they should be doing until He comes – have a proven character of faith, belief, and trust in Jesus, prepare daily to keep your mind engaged and ready for action, to be sober-minded, and keep your eyes on the truth and reality so that when Jesus returns, you are ready because you’ve been living faithfully.   

At the moment of Jesus’ return, it’s going to be like someone made that last shot, that walk off homerun, that game winning field goal. The cheers will be louder and greater than ever. Everywhere people will be jumping up and down, high fiving, hugging and experiencing the absolute best ever moment of their lives. The thought here is this: live in such a way today that when the buzzer goes off and Jesus is here, you were prepared and ready. Then you will fully experience the best moment ever.  

Go: 

1. Have you ever gotten to take that last shot, the buzzer beater shot? What was it like? 

2. When have you been part of a buzzer beater moment with your team? 

3. How are you getting prepared for when Jesus returns?  

Workout: 

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