The Comeback!
Last
night had to have been the pinnacle match of this year’s U.S. Open thus
far. The French player Gael Monfils won
the first two sets from Roger Federer. It seemed as if Monfils was doing just
about everything right and Federer was doing everything wrong. Monfils needed one more set to win the match.
In fact, in the third set he had his chance with two match points in hand. But
as Yogi Berra once said, “It’s not over till it’s over!” How true that was last
night! Not only did Federer win the
points to get out of a terrible match point situation, he went on to win the
set and the next two, winning the match.
It was an incredible comeback!
I’ve
learned from watching tennis through the years, never underestimate a true
champion. One of their specialties is the comeback. They know how to handle the
loss of points, games, even sets. They know how to push through being on the
downside until they are back up on top. Their minds are trained to stay
focused. Their bodies are trained to keep on going. Whereas most people would give up and accept
defeat, a champion continues to believe that he or she can win the match. They believe in the comeback.
In
many ways, our Christian faith is all about the comeback. It’s a comeback that began with the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. When it seemed as if the most tragic defeat had
taken place, when everyone had given up all hope of a win, Jesus rose to new
life. It was the greatest comeback our world had ever known.
But,
it didn’t stop there. For those who will believe, Jesus’ comeback has brought
about the promise for yet more comebacks.
His resurrection has given us the promise of our own resurrection—i.e.
when it seems like death has defeated us, we too will overcome death. We have
been given the promise that one day his followers (i.e. the “Church”), though
in this life oppressed, living as aliens and foreigners in this world, will one
day return as the Bride of Christ to rule and reign with him. And, although at times it seems as if our world
is in a downward spiral and ready for defeat, the promise is that one day,
Christ will return and make all things right. It will be an incredible
comeback!
Even
today, the power of Jesus Christ our Champion, is at work in our lives to help
us. So, when you and I find ourselves down, feeling as if we are about to be
defeated by sin, sorrow, and all the difficulties that our world can bring;
when it looks like we are going to lose the match, Jesus, our Champion, comes
alongside of us to strengthen us and give us the focus we need to press
through. He reminds us that, although we might be down for the moment, there is
yet hope, for he is with us.
It’s
no wonder the Apostle Paul could say, “I
can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 –
NIV) and write of “…his incomparably
great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:19 – NIV)
Today,
I want to encourage you to put your trust in the greatest Champion of all: Jesus Christ.
Know that his comeback can be your comeback!
I close with these words: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order
that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who
believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he
exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right
hand in the heavenly realms….” (Ephesians 1:18-20 – NIV)
Have a great day!
Pastor Tim Harris
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