Recently I was watching a boxing match
on a long flight to Asia. In the ring were two young boxers dressed in red and
blue jersey. The championship was pretty even but then the one on the red
jersey began to thrash the opponent.
Just about the time I thought the
referee was going to blow his whistle for the winner it was time for a short
break. The guy on the blue jersey was panting on the ring as he sat down to catch
his breath. It was a clear sign of his imminent defeat to come.
The last round began with a roaring thunder
of applause. The winner apparent began with some severe blows to the blue guy.
It was inevitable the victory belonged to the superior. Just about this time
something snapped! The blue guy caught his second wind and he came back with a vengeance.
Within seconds he had knocked out his opponent and won the trophy.
Second wind is a phenomenon in long distance running, as well as boxing
and some other sports, whereby an athlete who is too out of breath and tired to
continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less
exertion. Scientists believe the second wind to be a result of the body finding
the proper balance of oxygen to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in the
muscles.
As I watched the thriller come to a surprising
climax, I could not help but think of our Christian life. Often, we are tossed
to and fro by the enemy and it looks like we’re going to get squished in the
hand of the evil one. We lose focus, feel disoriented and our lives spinning out
of control. We do not have a clue how to get out of the mess we are in. This is
when God steps in! He says, “Enough is
enough.” He sends us the second Wind of the Holy Spirit to intervene in our
situation.
May be today you are in life’s ring of
knock out fight. You’ve taken some hard blows, you’re tired and weary. You are
bewildered and wondering where is God. You can barely stand on your two feet.
The attacks have been severe and too frequent against you. I feel inspired to
say, “Take heart. Be courageous. A second
wind is coming.” What was against you will suddenly be on your favor. The
opposition will switch side. There will be a shift caused by God’s mighty
power. What you thought was impossible will be achieved with an ease. You will
go from minus to plus. The odds that were stacked against you will now be in
your favor.
What must you do to turn the onslaught
of attack against you? You must stay in the game. You must not give up. You’ve
come too far to go back. You’ve got what it takes. Keep fighting. Keep
standing. Keep throwing those punches. You’re not finished yet. A second wind
is coming. The Holy Spirit our Helper has been unleashed to assist you. You and
God are a majority. You will overcome every disappointment, defeat and obstacles.
You will come out of this battle wearing the victor’s crown celebrated by
thousands of angels who are cheering you on. I’m praying for you!
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to
the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well
before many witnesses” (I Timothy
6:12 NLT).
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