setup: [E-Mail Ministry] The Winner

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THE WINNER

I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or
six years old, but they were playing a real game - - a serious game _ two
teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn't know any of
them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being
anxious about winning or losing - I wished the parents and coaches could
have done the same.

The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and
Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They
were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they
stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they
didn't seem to care. They were having fun.

In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his
first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player who now guarded
the goal.

The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you're
five years old -- because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and
the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the
little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete,
but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two
began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly
throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them.

Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy.
He became a raging maniac -- shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina
he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy
kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned
himself, it was too late -- they scored a third goal.

I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decent-looking
people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office -- he still
had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became
totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the
sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was
no use; he couldn't stop them.

He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate futility was written all
over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder -
yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He
tried to say that it was okay - to hang in there. He grieved for the pain
his son was feeling.

After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before.
The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He
retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee - and then he
cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went
to his knees and put his fists to his eyes - and he cried the tears of the
helpless and brokenhearted.

When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His
wife clutched his arm and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But he
tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to - the game
was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all - he charged onto the
field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his
boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I've never been so
proud of a man in my life.

He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard
him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want
everybody to know that you are my son." "Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't
stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me."

"Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they scored on you. You're my son,
and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I
know you want to quit, but you can't. And, son, you're going to get scored
on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now." It made a difference - I could
tell it did.

When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on - and you can't stop
them - it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you.
The little guy ran back on to the field - and they scored two more times -
but it was okay.

I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in
every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with
every ounce of my being - and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the
tears come, and I go to my knees - sinful, convicted, helpless.

And my Father - my Father rushes right out on the field - right in front of
the whole crowd - the whole jeering, laughing world - and he picks me up,
and he hugs me and he says, "I'm so proud of you. You were great out there.
I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the
outcome of this game, I declare you -- The Winner."

-- Author Unknown

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