FOURTH QUARTER

FOURTH  QUARTER

                I sat alone on a bench in a smelly dressing room, bemusing the thought that it was almost over – not practice, but my football career, not going past HS gridiron.  Coach had grabbed me up by the shoulder pads from the practice field sidelines.  I had been clipped at the ankles, rolled over and jumped up with the momentum of the pursuit, and made a second-effort tackle, smashing the running back into the fence before giving in.  “That’s what I’m talking about!  Cornelson, go on into the showers; you get to skip sprints today…”  My brooding premonition of the last game was stealing the moment.

                Moses wrote, “10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Ps.90)  He continued, “12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  Only a fool thinks that the party never ends.  And, only a fool thinks it ever ends.  We live on.  But, there are winners and there are losers.  I play to win.

                Jesus prayed, “…And now I am no more in the world…” even as he lived and breathed among us.  But, he knew the game clock was running out.  The game was nearly over.  We needed a miracle if we were not going to lose.  Talk about a “hail mary”!  All Hell was celebrating their victory as the “superstar” hung on the cross.  But, He raised his bloodied head and yelled, “tetelestai”!  (Jn.19:30)  The angelic host erupted into a frenzy.  And, all hell was quiet and still.  From our perspective, it was three days later that He came out of that tomb that could not hold the “Resurrection and Life”.  From eternity, there was never any doubt!  We are more than conquerors!

                The Hebrews’ writer rejoices, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.12:2)  Look at Him – “for the joy”  “despising”  -- sounds like an athlete, beaten and bruised, rising up in defiance and winning the championship!  Jesus was no quitter.  He played to win, giving it all, whatever it took!  With a guttural growl, with more pride and chutzpah of any “Oorah” of any leatherneck, the Superstar, finished in championship style!  The demons of hell left the field, cursing and swearing.

                How will I finish?  As I near my seventh decade on this orb, I have to think of the homecoming dance.  It is just not the same for losers.  With four raised fingers, I enter the last quarter!