R.N., the athletic director of a small private school, was diagnosed with cancer during the summer recess of 2014. A nonsmoker, he battled lung cancer courageously for 4 months before being called to Heaven. He was able to continue working and he impacted many for Christ during his brief struggle with the disease. He spoke at an FCA sponsored state volleyball breakfast two weeks before his death. R.N. instructed those young athletes to consider each day a gift from God & to take life “one point, one game and one match at a time”. My Peewee A hockey team dedicated our recently completed season to R.N. and the team put his initials on white hockey tape affixed to the back of their helmets.
The Bible instructs us to finish the race, but few of us know when life’s race is going to end. Paul states in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." As athletes, coaches and believers in Christ our goal should always be to finish the task ahead of us for Christ’s glory. We need to look at what is directly in front of us and not look ahead or look past any opportunity or opponent. We all can be crowned “Heaven’s champion” and live victoriously through the blood of Christ that gives us victory over sin and death.
On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is here that He conquered the grave and defeated sin and death. Those who believe in the name of Jesus have this hope - that having been baptized into His death we are also united with Him to rise. There is only one Championship team, but many players are a part of it. Jesus has offered us a way to be a part of the winning team. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
What was the greatest victory you have been a part of? How did you feel?
What sin, trial or circumstance do you need victory over today?
How can we live each day in freedom that Jesus has already claimed victory for us?