Victory Is Yours: Overcome Life’s Challenges God's Wayნიმუში

Day 7: Play For the Post-Game

One of my NFL coaches would always say, “Remember what’s coming.” Because we players knew what he meant, many of us would take the field on Sunday thinking about Monday. You know why? Because Monday was accountability day—the review of the game-day film.

On Monday, Coach would walk in, pull down the video screen, turn on the overhead projector, pick up his red pointer, and say, “All I want to know is: Did you do what we asked and play by our book, or were you were out there doing your own thing? Don’t answer...We’re about to watch it right now.”

One day, the game of this life will be over for each of us, and God the Father will walk up, pull down His cosmic screen, turn on His Holy Ghost overhead projector, pick up His blood-of-Jesus red pointer, and ask: “Did you honor the logo that was on your helmet based on the Playbook I gave you? Did you sacrifice yourself out there on the field for the sake of the team like My Son did? Or were you out there doing your own thing? Don’t answer that...We’re about to watch it right now.”

This is why Ecclesiastes 7 says it’s better to go to a funeral than a party. Because the funeral reminds you who you’re playing for, why you’re playing, and how—ahead of Monday.

Jesus lived, died, and forever lives so you and I could bask eternally in celebration of victory. If you don’t like how your film is shaping up, if you know your Coach won’t be pleased, then go back to the Playbook. And while you’re at it, do everything you can to study and pattern yourself after the team’s forever Captain, Jesus, so that, come Monday, you’ll hear the coveted words: “Well done...Come and share [My] happiness!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV).

Think About It: Keep tomorrow in mind as you live today, so that when tomorrow comes, you will have much to celebrate.

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We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more from Jonathan Evans in his book, Victory Is Yours, available here.