Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning is a habit and so is losing.”
God has a prosperous future for His children and each of us are to run the race set before us. The problem is that most of us don’t know or we forget that we’re in a race. The Apostle Paul tells us: “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27, The Message)
It’s not luck – no such thing for those on the journey. The person who consistently does the right thing will eventually win. Winners have a better attitude than losers. A bad attitude is a choice. For instance, my day may not be going any better than yours. My debts may be greater than yours. But I can choose to have a positive outlook based on God’s redemptive nature (God can redeem our failures and mistakes). God truly wants nothing but the best for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)
Whatever you do, do it with excellence and in grace. Build to last. The destiny of the diligent will never be the company of the obscure and insignificant. The Bible says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” (Prov. 22:29)
One of the great enemies of God is a life-style that embraces mediocrity – in essence, an undisciplined life. The heart of being a disciple is being Holy Spirit self-controlled and disciplined. As a result, others see Christ demonstrated long before they hear Him preached.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mth. 5:16)
1. Consistent winning is the key
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Living Christ deliberately takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As disciples, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of Bible study, fellowship, communion and prayer equip us to run with vigor and stamina. Don’t watch from the grandstand; don’t just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Get on the field and in the game and train diligently - your spiritual life depends upon it.
The Christian life was never promised as an easy way to live. We must have a purpose and a plan because times will be difficult and Satan will attack. But we never persevere without the promise of a final prize - a promise God will keep.
Winners say: I have a plan.
Losers say: I have an excuse.
Winners say: Let me do it for you.
Losers say: It’s not my job.
Winners: See a solution for every problem.
Losers: See a problem for every solution.
Winners: See a green around every sand trap.
Losers: See 2 or 3 sand traps around every green.
Winners: See a difficult situation, but see possibility.
Losers: See a possible situation, but it’s too difficult.
Winners say: Problem, look how big my God is.
Losers say: God, look how big my problem is.
God wants to lead you into the promised land. Winning does not make the attitude - the attitude makes you a winner. Have a positive attitude. God will work everything out for those who are in His purpose: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
2. Winners learn from their mistakes:
Tom Peters says, “Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast.” Losers hate this philosophy because it causes them to plan, test and take responsibility. You must be able to evaluate, make adjustments, and change anything that isn’t producing Christ-likeness.
3. Winners compete with themselves:
When George Patton was 29 years old serving as a tank commander colonel in World War I, he demonstrated a winning attitude. One particular morning, the fog was so dense no one could see to maneuver the tanks. He got out, walked 30 yards in front of the tanks and led them. What made him a winner was his desire to do whatever was necessary to win.
We are all different. If two of us are the same, one of us is not necessary. Set goals in your personal life, your business, your marriage, your ministry. Better yourself. If someone looks at you today, they should be able to see improvement over last year.
Your success should never be based on another’s failure. Every person is valuable. When you compete with someone else, they control your life. Remember, we’re on a journey. Where I am on the journey is not where you are. There are people who lose in relationships consistently because of their sharp tongue, their critical spirit, their insecurity, their bitterness. These things can be corrected. Winners realize there’s not much difference between winning and losing: usually it’s measured in terms of inches, a point or two, or in milliseconds. Losers think it’s a huge difference.
God tells us: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deut. 30:19)
God wants us to have life and blessing! Not death and curses. He wants us to succeed and prosper – to live life abundantly. It’s all about choice. Your choice.
4. Winners will always pay the price:
The value of your dream is determined by how much you are willing to pay for it. Michelangelo was not the best painter of his time. He had a bad back and a sinus condition. No one else was willing to do whatever it took to succeed. He laid on his back painting a ceiling for nearly 2 years and completed the Cystine Chapel. All the other “great” painters of his day are forgotten in obscurity.
In 1949, Jonas Salk wanted a cure for polio. He worked 16 hours a day, six days a week for five years and gave us the now-famous Salk Vaccine against polio. Jonas played to win.
Lou Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games. Every finger in both hands was broken as well as him having 17 additional fractures in his body. But he played nonetheless. Of all the players in baseball history, none possessed as much talent and humility as Lou Gehrig. His accomplishments on the field made him an authentic American hero, and his tragic early death made him a legend. He played to win.
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players in history, played the 1997 Championship Game against the Utah Jazz with the flu even when he could have stayed at home. 40 million dollars is not what kept him on the floor. Michael played to win.
The principle: Pay now or pay later. If you pay now, you can play later. Losers play now and end up paying later. Winners pay now, so they can play later. Yes, it will be lonely, risky, sacrificial, and responsible. You must determine what you value and the price you are willing to pay. To get something you want you must give up something else. You can’t sacrifice unless you have a choice.
I’m sure Jesus did not feel like going to the Cross so I could have redemption. I’m glad He did not base His decision on how He felt.
Everyone wants authority without responsibility. The church is filled with people who want the benefits, the titles, the perks, but who don’t want responsibility. In God’s economy, there is no authority without responsibility. If you don’t take responsibility for your family, you don’t have authority over your family. In fact, the first mark of sin was failure to take responsibility. Adam said, “It’s not my fault ... you gave me the woman” (Gen. 3:12). Our sin nature always wants to blame others. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! If your marriage is failing, take responsibility and get help. If your business is failing, take responsibility and get help. If your ministry is failing, take responsibility and get help. You have a choice. You’re not a victim. Choose life and blessing.
5. Winners make hard decisions no one wants to make:
Most people don’t want to make tough decisions because they are afraid other people won’t like them anymore. So what? What made Esther great was her ability to make tough decisions. A whole nation survived because of her decisions. She risked it all and she did not have to. It’s been said, “When I’m tempted to not confront a difficult person or a difficult situation, I am guilty of embezzlement.” If we don’t, we’re cheating God. Ultimately, the choices we make will be our responsibility before the Lord. It’s called accountability. If you’re waiting for the perfect church, the perfect marriage, the perfect business, you’ll be waiting a long, long time. Work with what’s in your hand today.
How You Can Learn To Win:
Start today with what you have. Be faithful in the little and never despise the day of small beginnings. Some of God’s greatest gifts came in small packages and changed the world forever.
Feel responsible TO others and not FOR others. Invest your resources as the stepping-stone for others. Teach others to fish, don’t just give them fish.
Realize the emotional reward you have as a giver. A generous person is fun to be around.
Evaluate your life in terms of giving. Don’t ever base your life on what you accumulate. Leave behind a legacy of principles and character not just money and resource. Plant good seed. If you don’t like the crop that came up last year, plant something different today.
What you give is what you really keep.
Give because it’s right. If you give to someone who can’t repay you, you’re on the right road.
Understand the reason for receiving (2 Cor. 9:10). God gives seed to those who sow. He gives bread to those who don’t sow. You can either sow or eat what’s given to you.
Enjoy the rewards of being a giver. Have you ever noticed that the harder you work the “luckier” you become?
The true measure of a person is through giving. The reason we want to grow is not to just have more real estate, bigger homes or larger ministries ... it’s to be a blessing to many. You are blessed to be a blessing. Start blessing!
Keep an eternal vision. Think global, act local. Benefit others. Bless someone today.
