FCA: Strong DevotionalSample

Bite the Tire

Rex Stump

Ready:

“Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:3

Set:

With four games left in the season, NC State Basketball Coach Mark Gottfried was fired! He could have made excuses about lacking experience, injuries, and playing in the ACC against ranked teams, but he didn’t. 

What makes this situation unique is that he was asked to finish the season. Typically, when you get fired, you empty the office and leave. Caring about the young men he coached all season, he stayed and planned to finish strong. 

The day after his firing in a pregame speech to his team, he compared himself to a dog being run over by a car. ”It's like if I’m that dog, and that car rolls over me, that car is on top of me and that tire squishes me. You’ve got a choice to make right there…I’m gonna bite that tire!” The coach fully expressed that he was not going to just lie there and get crushed. He was going to bite, until he could bite no more.

Life is tough and every day we could easily quit. We are told to never give up, to persevere. I agree that persevering and finishing matters. But finishing strong is even more important! Hebrews 12:1-3 challenges us to finish strong by keeping our eyes on the one who finished strong, Jesus Christ! Conquering the trials, beatings, crucifixion, and even death, He rose from the grave and ascended to heaven! That's a strong finish!

Go:

1. Where are you currently struggling to finish strong?

2. Who are you focusing on as an example to finish strong?

3. By your example, whom could you possibly encourage to finish strong?

Overtime:

Heavenly Father, I’m tired, but I don’t want to quit. Help me to focus on Jesus who finished strong. Remove the things that slow me down, the sin that trips me up. Help me run with endurance the race You have set before me!