And the winner is? We all can answer that question with a variety of answers depending on our perspective. I could say this post is a winner because it marks my 200th blog post. Yeah! What do I get for a reward? How do we define reward? It could be a blue ribbon for being a winner in a contest. Perhaps, it is the satisfaction of getting the brain of “T”, that’s me, on a document that may last after I am gone. Is that too egotistical? I hope not. As I write this message, I am preparing for next Saturday’s Louisiana Book Festival where I will be an exhibitor at table 5 on Exhibitor’s Row leading up to the State Capital building. My first book, “Sticks and Stones” will be on display. Does that make me a winner? No! What does it take to be a winner?
If we are running a race to cross a finished line, the winner is the person who crosses the line first. What if we are limited in our abilities to run fast? Maybe, we are out of shape or maybe we are too young or too old. A two year old or ninety-two year old most likely cannot keep up with a twelve year old. In golf, I like the handicap system which is designed to keep golfers at an even playing field. A scratch golfer has zero handicap whereas a duffer like me starts with a 30 point lead. A 30 point start sometimes does not make me a winner. (LOL) The answer to what it takes to be a winner in life is much more complicated than a single contest. Let’s take the writings of Paul for example. He wrote fourteen letters (epistles) during his life time after he witnessed the death of Stephen in 37 AD. He was called Saul at the time and was an exemplary citizen of Rome. He searched for those people following a crucified criminal of the state. These people were fanatics that needed to be found and destroyed! Would you call Saul a winner? At the time, he was probably a hero to many for his relentless endeavor to stomp out this revolution. Would we call him a winner today? No, not as Saul, but yes as Paul. Why, what changed?
Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus and his sight was restored by his new found faith. He spent three years at Damascus then proceeded to journey all throughout the Mediterranean Sea. His first journey lasted from 45-47 AD. Did he stop at his first attempt to share the good news? No, as his second journey went from 51-53 AD. During this time, he wrote 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. On his third trip between 54-58 AD, he wrote Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Romans. He also met John the Baptist. He was arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea, Judea from 58-60 AD. Did that stop his writing? No! He was sent to Rome while a prisoner, nearly died of a snake bite, in Malta (Melita), before he reached Rome. He wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon while in Rome’s prison in 62 AD. He was released from prison in Rome. Did he stop his race to share the good news? No! While free, he wrote Hebrews, Titus and 1st Timothy during 64-65 AD. Timothy was a young man also in prison but had been set free. Did Timothy run for home never to be heard again like so many of Paul’s friends? No! He returned to get further instructions from Paul while in prison again in Rome. This would be Paul’s last time to write before his certain execution. He wrote 2nd Timothy during 66-67 AD just before his death. Did Paul die a failure or a winner? What does it take to be a winner? In Paul’s own words, he said, “I’m already being poured out like a sacrifice to God, and the time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At last the champion’s wreath that is awarded for righteousness is waiting for me.”
We can either base our journeys in life on failure or success. What does it take? It takes faith to keep on going no matter what obstacles prevent us from crossing the finish line victorious. (Re: Chronology of Paul: www.matthewmcgee.org)
T