“To win this game, we are going to need to play a full 60 minutes!”
How often have we seen or experienced it? A hockey team comes out strong, dominating the first two periods, only to falter in the third and lose the game. It’s frustrating, but it teaches us a vital lesson about endurance. Our walk with Christ, like hockey, is not just about starting well or having a good moment—it’s about perseverance until the final buzzer.
As believers we are called to play a “full 60 minutes,” starting from the moment we become part of the Lord’s team. The game we are called to play in is not always easy. Throughout the battle we will certainly face setbacks, frustrations, and failures. At times there may be a temptation to give up or settle for less (Matthew 4:8-9)* when faced with trials. There will be days when we feel tired, when we fall short of the mark, or when we question if the effort is even worth it. But the good news is that Jesus has already won the ultimate game. We are not playing in hopes of victory; we are competing because of the victory Jesus has already secured.
Playing a full 60 minutes does not mean that we will never make mistakes. No hockey player ever plays a flawless game, and no believer can ever live a flawless life. But the power of grace is that, even when we stumble, we are not disqualified from the game. God’s grace covers our failures, and He calls us to keep going. Just because you may lose a shift does not mean you give up! We are called to keep pressing on, not because we are flawless, but because He is faithful.
In any hockey game there comes a point where you get tired. But the key to winning, just like in hockey, is endurance. Those who can endure for the full 60 minutes will be victorious! When Christians get tired, we are called to look to Jesus for our encouragement. He endured persecution and suffering, even to the point of death on a cross. We should also remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us. Like seasoned players who finished their careers well, their lives remind us that perseverance in Christ leads to ultimate victory.
Sometimes a game can feel long, but the reward is worth it. Jesus has already secured the victory, but we are called to continue giving it our all for Him for the full 60 minutes, knowing that the crown of life is waiting for us at the end.
Jesus was tempted by Satan to bypass the cross and receive the world when He was exhausted in the wilderness.Jesus did not give into this temptation and instead played the whole game, winning the ultimate victory for all of us.
What distractions or past failures might be hindering me from playing a full 60 minutes in my life? What does Paul say about looking to the past? What was Paul’s life like before he was saved?
When I grow weary or discouraged, how does keeping my eyes on Jesus help me finish my game strong, especially when I feel like I’m nearing the third period of fatigue? How was Jesus tempted when he was tired? Hint: Matthew 4:8-9*
How does knowing that the victory is already secured through Jesus change the way approach the game?
When the final buzzer sounds, what will it mean to be able to say, “I have played a full 60 minutes, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”? What impact do I want to have made at the end of the game?