Winning in the Game of life (Part VI)

Many times I hear of stories of some “great men” and they say that they are self made men, in other words their success is as a result of their own sweat. But really, there is nothing like a self made man. Like Galileo of old once said, “If I have seen far, it is because I have stood upon the shoulders of giants”.  You cannot succeed alone you need others. One is too small for significance.

The twelve chapter of Hebrew begins with these words, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,” Seeing that we have such a crowd or cloud (for some people it’s the same) of witnesses, people who have gone before us; people who faced the same challenges that we are facing and even tougher challenges but refused to give up, we cannot afford to give up. In soccer we call it the twelfth man, which is the spectators, the cheering squad gives us that extra advantage that we so much need. Those spectators could be your children, both natural and spiritual, your fans even if it’s just your spouse, or even your coach and all those who believe in you. You need these people in your life to cheer you on as you run your race. It’s not just about you; it’s about others as well.

During the dark days of depression, there was a Pastor in Seoul Korea who because of the hard times was contemplating suicide. Things were so bad that he thought the best way was to give up and end his life. But as he was about to plunge himself down from his Church’s balcony, he had a voice telling him, “If you plunge yourself down from this point, you will begin a generation of people who will plunge themselves down”. In other words, he was going to start a generation of losers, people who give up. I’m glad he heeded to that voice and today he Pastors one of the largest churches in the world.

This morning I received my own personal copy of a book, “The success Kit” written by a young man who only a few years ago was on the verge of giving up on life and today is a founder of a group of companies. What could have happened if he gave up? What could have happened if the Heroes of faith gave up? There would be no cloud of witnesses.

There have been times I have felt like giving up in my marriage, but when I remember the many couples I have walked through even difficult patches in their own marriages, I cannot but soldier on. I have reached where I am today because of the several people that have had an impact on my life. Starting with my spiritual Father, the late C. Earl Stubbs (who has since joined that cloud of witnesses); my life coach, my best friend and buddy Pastor George of ICC, my wife who is my greatest cheer leader, and last but not least my spiritual and natural children whom I am an example to. I cannot afford to fail them. These are the people that have made me who I am.

Which people do you have in your life? Who is speaking into your life? Who are you impacting as you move along life’s journey? Remember, winning in the game of life requires other people in your life.

“Pay no attention to what the critics say: no statue has ever been erected to a critic.”

                                                                                                                     – Jean Sibelius