Finish First

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

The week of preparation for the State Championship Game is one of the most exciting weeks of the season but I am glad it only happens once a year. Along with preparing the team for the game, there are bus lists, travel lists, room lists, and equipment lists. I even have a list of lists! As a coach, I know that I must get as many items completed early so, as the game gets closer, I can concentrate on my team and the game. The boys never quite understand the need to prepare so far in advance. In their mind, the game is far away but, for a coach, the game is always just a day away. We have talked to them about how far they have come since the beginning of off-season workouts and it would be a shame to not finish well. We also have talked to the team about not only finishing the season but, finishing first. Unfortunately, in athletics the team that finishes first is remembered in the record books but the team that finishes second is quickly forgotten. It has always been a little sad to me that one team will walk off the field after a championship game as the loser. Each team will have overcome many adversities to reach the final game and many sacrifices have been made to reach the championship but only one can finish first. The winner will remember the plays that only narrowly went in their favor while the loser will think about how close they were to a different outcome. The winning locker room will be full of singing, dancing, loud music, and hugs. The losing locker room will be somber with no songs or dancing. Each team will return to their schools the following day but one will be congratulated while the other will be constantly reminded of the loss. I have been blessed to be in both locker rooms during my coaching career and certainly prefer to be in the one with the team that finishes first.

After our game tomorrow night, one team will finish first and the other will finish second. Both teams have earned the right to play in the game, will have prepared for many hours, and have many more similarities than differences. Each team will be deserving of being called a champion but only one can finish first. On the field of competition only one team can finish first in the championship game but in our Christian walk we can all finish first. One day we will enter into His Kingdom and, although others are already there, we will also finish first. Each of us as a believer will finish first. There will be no runner up trophies, no condolences, and I even imagine there will be singing, dancing, and hugs. We will have all competed in the championship game and, at the end, we will all Finish First!

Chad