Picture this. The Red Wings made it to
the Stanley Cup finals. Its game four, and they already lost the
first three. THEY NEED TO WIN. Its the third period…the Wings are
down by 3 goals. You are at the game. What
kind of fan are you going to be? Will you be the one who walks out to
the parking lot five minutes before the game is over so you don’t get
stuck in all the traffic? Or are you going to cheer on your team
until there’s nothing left in you?
If
hockey isn’t for you…try this one. University of Michigan is
playing Ohio State. Michigan has lost for the past SIX years against
their rival team. You
are in the Big House…on the 50 yard line, about halfway up.
Michigan is down 10 in the 4th
quarter, with about 2 minutes to go. Ohio State kicks off the
ball…we get it on the 20. At this point, what are you doing? Maybe
everyone around you is going crazy…maybe they are giving up and
walking away. What kind of fan will you be?
Have
you ever been to a little kid’s baseball game? Their team is down in
the last inning, and there they all are…rallying.
Their baseball caps are inside out…they are doing everything they
can to cheer on their teammate who is batting.
High school swim meets. Every girl’s race, they matter. They have
trained for countless hours, poured out sweat, tears, effort…and it
all comes down to this moment. Its the 400 freestyle relay…the last
race of the night. You watch as the best four girls on your team put
their goggles on and stretch out. The first girl gets up on the
blocks. Where are you? The locker room? (not a chance if you were on
my team!!) Or are you at the end of their lane being completely
obnoxious because you want to win?
Fans,
teammates in these situations…they have to watch from the sidelines
while they hope for victory. They can scream their lungs out, they
can support their team…they have a choice to make. And I believe
that their choice
matters.
Ok,
now that all of you are pumped up and you want to go watch some
sports, I will get down to my point. Here I am, month 3 of the Race,
and there you are, watching from the sidelines. I need you
to rally. By
the end of this month, if I don’t have $8,000 in my account, I will
be sent back home. I
can’t participate in ministry anymore until I get enough support.
Here’s
the good thing about this. You don’t just have to cheer from the
sidelines. Here is your chance to impact the game. $5. $10. Prayers.
Spread the word. Rally.
What kind of fan, teammate, supporter will YOU be? Don’t let my
season end before I get to the finals.
