March is a great month!!! It is the month when spring arrives (20th). It is also the season for college basketball tournaments. They call it March Madness because of the frantic drive toward conference titles, tournament play, and the national championships. It does get a little crazy in the sportsman’s home. When I think of March Madness I have an image of Jim Valvano, the late basketball coach of NC State, running frantically around the court looking for someone to hug after his 1983 team won the national championship. His outmanned, underdog team beat all comers under the inspired motto: ‘Never give up. Don’t ever give up!’ That motto also served him well as he valiantly battled cancer until his death in 1993. It would serve us well also.
What happens when you are fighting a life threatening illness?
Never give up!
What do you do when you can’t find a job?
Never give up!
What happens when your marriage isn’t working?
Never give up!
What about when your children rebel?
Never give up!
Or, when your Sunday School attendance slides?
Never give up!
With all the opposition that Paul faced, he proclaimed, ‘I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 3:14; 4:13)
You may feel like giving up on yourself, the church, or even God
Himself. Don’t do it; He hasn’t given up on you.
Blessings,
Your pastor, Robert