For the second time this year, one of our local high school
football teams staged a terrific comeback. The first was when Enka High School
staged a 4th quarter rally to overcome a 3 touchdown deficit and
defeat Pisgah High School 47-43. Then this past Friday, Asheville High School
overcame a 29-0 first half deficit to beat Reynolds High School 35-29.
While I am truly a fan of football, these two games show us
much more than the power of teamwork. They’re a good reminder that it’s never
too late for a comeback as long as you don’t quit.
There will be numerous times in your life when you feel as though
you’re beaten and the enemy is running up the score. People will question your
motives. They’ll want to know why you do what you do. And these attacks will
grow as your success grows. They’ll attack your leadership style. Don’t get me
wrong, godly leadership is not optional, however, every leader has a different
style. And some will attack your style because you’re not like them. Others
will attack your methods. Listen, people’s opinions of you are not more
important than the leadership role God has called you to fulfill. The message
must remain the same, but the methods we use have to be more than a carbon copy
of what someone did successfully 50 years ago, especially when those methods
are no longer successful.
So when you see these attacks coming from all sides, and you
feel like you’re beaten down and defeated, don’t quit. It’s time to stage a
comeback.
Consider the Apostle Paul. The first half of his life was
spent trying to destroy the Church. He not only encouraged but also led zealous
Jews to arrest, beat, and even kill those who claimed to be Christians. He didn’t
have what might be described as a stellar spiritual life. But he had a second
half comeback. He had a divine encounter with Christ, was forgiven, restored
and called to be one of the greatest leaders of the first century Church.
Consider the biblical Job. He was a man of great moral
integrity and avoided even the appearance of evil. His life was wonderfully
blessed and God prospered him abundantly. But then, because of his fear, God
allowed Satan to torment him unmercifully. All of his lifestock was stolen or
destroyed. His children and his children were killed. He got boils all over his
face and body. His wife tried to get him to “Curse God and die.” But Job, even
though he must have felt that he was defeated at times, refused to blame God.
Then his closest friends turned against him, blaming him for sin that must have
caused this awful demise. Still, Job remained faithful. He didn’t quit. And in
the end, he staged a comeback. He prayed for his accusers. He continued to
worship God. “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his
friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
You may be behind in the game right now. Maybe you’re struggling
in your business, your relationships, your marriage or your relationship with
God. My encouragement to you is, “Don’t quit!” It’s time for a comeback. And if
you do like Paul and Job and stay in the game, you will come back.
