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Winning and Losing
John Fischer
Senior
Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals.
It's been statistically proven that out of the 162 Major League baseball
games that make up a full season of play, every team will win at least 60
games and lose at least 60 games. In other words, the worst team will
still manage to win 60 games, and the best team will still manage to lose
60. It's what happens with the other 42 that makes or breaks a season.
It's an interesting way to think about a baseball season and another
reason why I think baseball is a lot like life.
Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a
significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the
same. That's almost 75% of the season. It's what happens with the
remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a
cellar-dweller.
Life is all about ups and downs. We're all going to have good days and bad
days. Winners don't win all the time; losers don't lose all the time. In
fact, most of the time, it's hard to tell the difference. You can't make
one's experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells
us that winning is only a slight edge.
So what's the point of this for us? Experience isn't everything. If you're
having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are
cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change.
Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared
for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go
well and get upset when they don't, you're in for making tough times
tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will
fare much better in the long run.
Paul revealed the secret for making it through his “season” of life. “I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
It is a way to live that evens out the wins and the losses. It even leaves
the wins and losses up to God. Don't you remember that coach who taught
you as a kid that it's not all about winning or losing, but how you play
the game that counts?
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12) |
