There is more to the story if you look closely. I took this photo just after my grandson scored at his soccer game yesterday. He had just made the goal. He was beaming with joy. We (his family and his teammates) were cheering him on as he headed toward that goal, and we all celebrated with him shouting in victory when he scored.
As I was going through these pictures I just took yesterday, it was the boy in the background that caught my attention. The boy on the other team. I’m sure his family and his teammates were cheering him on as well. But after that goal, he stood there still, head slumped. Feeling defeated. This photo actually saddened me.
That’s part of sports. You win some and you lose some. And hopefully you learn, you grow through the process. Sadly, not everyone is rooting for you. Life is like that, in sports, school, relationships, family, marriage, careers, and even in our Christian walks.
But there is one race we can all win. There is one Father, one God who is rooting for us all, each and every one of us. No matter if you ran the race with ease, got lost along the way, or took a detour, all that matters is that you finish the race.
God, our Heavenly Father has not taken his eyes off of you. He is there cheering you on, trying to encourage you, waiting to shout that victory cry with you. He is eagerly awaiting your arrival at the finish line to celebrate with you. Keep running.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
