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III-11 WINNING THE GAME OF LIFE

Everybody likes to win.  From wars to football games we celebrate victories.  From graduations to job promotions we glory in successes.  Paul was using the language of an athletic contest when he said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me . . ."  (Phil.3:14).

There are many kinds of triumphs.  Some promote selfishness and some promote the good of all.  When we are truly connected to our fellow men and women, we are no longer trapped in the, "I win/you lose" position.

The inability to grasp this reality causes so much heartache.  "I win/we lose" is the epitaph on many marital tombstones.  It drives wedges between parents and children.  It destroys businesses and churches.  It threatens to be the final words spoken in a nuclear disaster.

There is an old story about some men in a boat heading toward land.  One man suddenly starts  boring a hole in the bottom of the craft.  When challenged, he retorts angrily, "This is none of your business.  I'm boring the hole under my seat!"  He doesn't realize that such problems are everybody's business.  All the people in the boat will sink together.  Life is like that.  In a small world my business is your business and your business is my business.  In a small world if I win, we all win and if I lose we all lose.

So, what leads to universal victories?  What determines ultimate success?  What ensures a triumphant finish that benefits everyone.  Let's analyze the winning ingredients in the game of life.  Vince Lombardi was a great coach.  He really knew how to put together a successful team.  And, furthermore, all the principles he emphasized are applicable to us and the church.

I.  FIRST, TO WIN IN THE GAME OF LIFE YOU MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE

We must know the fundamentals.  Once, when his team was behind and performing badly, Vince walked into the locker room and calmly began his lecture.  "Gentlemen," he said, "Let's get back to the basics."  Then, reaching down for a nearby pigskin, he held it up and continued, "Boys, this object is a football."

Yes, a player must know the basics of the game and how to fill his position.  He must know where the goal posts are and how to get there.  Certainly this is true of the church. Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . ." (Hos. 4:6).

For spiritual knowledge it's important to understand the Bible.  It contains directions on how to live.  It explains how we may enter eternal life.  It tells of the Holy Spirit who will guide us.  The Bible can keep us from becoming arrogant when we succeed; from being disappointed when we fail; and from being distressed when things go wrong.

The Bible is a source of comfort and joy.  It contains countless examples of the strengths and weaknesses of men and women through the centuries from which we may learn.  Unfortunately, fewer people read and know the Scriptures today than ever before.  According to answers received by researchers, Sodom and Gomorrah were thought to be lovers; Mary and Joseph was a play written by Shakespeare; the Exodus was a motion picture.  Only a third of those surveyed knew who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Gallup, who did the poll, concluded, "We revere the Bible but we do not read it . . . We are a land of hypocrites who fight to put the Ten Commandments in courthouses and classrooms,  but can't even name them."  We believe in God, but we don't know Him.

What if ball players didn't know the rules and couldn't recognize the goal line?  They'd never win a game. That's why Bible study and worship and prayer are so important.  We must have knowledge.

II.  SECOND, TO WIN IN THE GAME OF LIFE YOU MUST HAVE DISCIPLINE.

This is the key ingredient in anything that we do.  Peter says, "Add to knowledge, self-control" (II Peter 1:6).

Working hard and working smart are still requirements of achievement and this is nowhere more true than in the church. 
Solomon said, "Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall" (Prov. 25:28).

Mary Lou Retton recalled her many years of disciplined training which resulted in an Olympic Gold Medal in gymnastics.  She said, "When I'd come home from school as a kid, instead of going out to play, I'd put on a pair of leotards and go to the gym.  I worked out when others dated.  I exercised while others watched TV.  I ate vegetables while others ate ice cream.  I missed social activities to get my rest.  Still, people say how lucky I am.  They don't know all the work that went into it."

You see,

The world's made up of two kinds of folks---
No matter how you view it;
Those who just talk about
What should be done
And those who get busy and do it.

The writer of Ecclesiastes said, "Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might . . ." (Ecc. 9:10).

The problem for most Christians is that they do not consistently give their best.  Many are content to do just enough to get by.  If we make an effort or if we measure up to our neighbors, we feel okay.

Unfortunately, it's not okay.  What if ball players never practiced and disregarded all good health principles?  They'd never win a game.  That's why self-control and determination and hard work are so important.  We must have discipline.

III.  THIRD, TO WIN IN THE GAME OF LIFE YOU MUST HAVE COOPERATION.

Lombardi said, "There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline, but they still don't win games. . . You've got to work together.  Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself, 'If I don't block that man, my teammate is going to get hit.  I have to do my job well so that he can do his.'  The difference between mediocrity and greatness is the feeling the guys have for each other." 

Most assuredly this is true in the church.  Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34).

A British sailor said years ago that the most terrible naval battle he'd ever fought occurred one night when his ship mistook another British ship for the enemy.  He said, "Sailors were killed and wounded and both vessels suffered heavy damage.  When daylight came, we learned of our tragic blunder when we saw the Union Jack flying from both masts.  Then we saluted each other and wept bitterly." 

Today, we call such incidents "friendly fire"; but it's still deadly.

Sometimes Christians commit the same error.  They cause church splits and hard feelings.  They criticize other denominations and denounce other doctrines.  Such infighting destroys everyone.  If we insist upon having our own way in every situation, we may ultimately win only to realize it's really a tragic loss.

What if every football player was out to protect himself and gain the glory at the expense of his teammates?  They'd never win a game.  That's why communication and tolerance and compromise are so important.  We must have cooperation.

IV.  FOURTH, TO WIN IN THE GAME OF LIFE YOU MUST HAVE OPTIMISM.

Positive thinking is essential.  Lombardi invited his players to think victory, to dream victory, to believe victory. 

This also applies to the church.  Paul said, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13).

Hope gives life.  Once a soldier was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from the army of a foreign country.  Now, he was not discharged for treason, desertion or sleeping at his post of duty.  Instead he was accused of being a "discourager."  He did nothing more than go among his fellow soldiers with pessimistic words and negative criticism.  He broke the spirit and tore down the morale of many.  His presence was more of a hindrance than a help to accomplish the task at hand.

It's alarming how often this same situation prevails in the church.  People may not violently fight against the program---they just mingle with other members and complain.  They voice skepticism concerning the plans and goals of the church.  In a very real sense they are "discouragers."

It's difficult to detect such action because it can be accomplished in very subtle ways.  Often, there are too many critics and not enough workers.  The discourager may not really intend to be an enemy and a traitor, but he is anyway.

What if the players and cheerleaders and managers all sat around saying, "They have a better team.  We're no good.  We can't make a goal!"?  They'd never win a game.  That's why positive thoughts and healthy attitudes and cheerful words are so important.  We must have optimism.

V.  FIFTH, TO WIN IN THE GAME OF LIFE YOU MUST HAVE PERSEVERANCE.

We have to finish the game.  A brilliant first half isn't enough.  We must have players who'll be in there until the final whistle is blown.  We can't just run until we experience a little pain or get a little tired, or feel a little discouraged.  No!  We must be committed to the end.  Above all, this kind of commitment is needed in the church.

Jesus said, "The one who endures to the end, he shall be saved" (Matt. 24:13).

Paul said, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" (Gal. 6:9).

Many great things are never accomplished because we quit too soon.  Many lessons are never learned because we quit too soon.  One of Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends said, "When we wrestled, throwing Andy was no problem.  Why, I could throw him nine times out of ten; but the problem was he wouldn't stay throwed!"

That's the trademark of a winner.  "He won't stay throwed!"  He always gets up and tries again.

What if all the players on a football team quit as soon as they encountered resistance or saw their competitors score a touchdown?  They'd never win a game.  That's why persistence and patience and faithfulness are so important.  We must have perseverance.

Yes, Vince Lombardi was a winning coach.  He knew that you move mountains one shovel-full at a time.

The Great Wall of China took hundreds of years to construct, but it was built one brick at a time.  The great pyramids of Egypt were constructed one block at a time.  That's how you win.  You have knowledge!  You have discipline!  You have cooperation!  You have optimism!  And, above all, you have perseverance!  In other words "You don't stay thrown!"  You keep digging!  You keep chipping!  You keep trying, knowing that, in the end, you are going to be a winner.
(WC1844)

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This issue of NEW PERSPECTIVES  is from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2004 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THEM IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

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