Win the Day

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
                                           Ephesians 6:10


Perhaps because Caleb's sweet girlfriend is a student at Ole Miss and he has attended several of their games in the past couple of years, he has developed a keen interest in their football program.  (Never mind that his school's team has won three national championships in his four years of college!)  A few weeks ago he was telling me how he really admires their coach and his philosophy-- "Win the Day"--sharing that he has adopted this idea in working through his grief. "Mom, every morning I just wake up and ask God to help me "win the day."  I've pondered that conversation more than once since then and realized what a splendid idea this is.

For surely every morning we all face a battle--for our minds and for our hearts.  Among our opponent's weapons are anxiety, confusion, fear, and sadness. He would have us be fretful, jumbled, frightened, and sorrowful, wandering
aimlessly about questioning our purpose. But God (there's that beautiful phrase again!) has graciously given us the armor that will equip us to overcome this foe--to win the day. His Word is the best playbook out there. So many of His precious promises help thwart the adversary's attacks if we meditate on these (our practice drills):             

       * He promises to carry our burdens and give us rest: "Come to Me, 
            all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
            Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
            and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls."
          (Matthew 11:28-29) What a marvelous gift--rest for our souls!  
          When we feel overwhelmed by decisions to be made or tasks to
          be completed, He says, "Give them to Me."  What a relief when
          we recognize that He does not intend for us to carry these loads
          alone.  When I hand off the ball, which is His desire, the day is won!     

       * He promises to give us strength and peace: "The LORD gives
            strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with
            peace." (Psalm 29:11)  As I reflect on the strength the Lord
          has provided to our family throughout the last year, I am
          reminded of His undeniable, unfathomable power. Some days
          that has simply been strength enough to look for a greeting 
          card or fill out a field trip form or make it through the "Revelation" 
          song during worship.  Other times He has given strength to 
          gather pictures for Hunter's senior page in the yearbook or 
          truly celebrate a birthday or holiday. Those early Sunday school
          answers are indeed the key: "Read your Bible and pray."
          As I spend time in His Word (conditioning/training), He has 
          faithfully given strength and peace prevails.  The joy of the
          Lord is my strength, and the day is won! 
         
        * He promises that nothing can come between us and His love: 
           "Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither
              the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height
              nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
              separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our
              Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39) Yes, with an everlasting love He has
            loved us; thus, we should have no fear, especially of the future.
            Nothing that happens today will occur apart from His holy 
            hand that is upon us every moment. "You hem me in--behind
            and before; You have laid Your hand upon me." (Psalm 139:5) 
            These words can smother the "what ifs" as we focus on I AM.
            He is our guard who protects and secures, allowing nothing 
            to come between us. Resting in that knowledge assures that we 
            will win the day!                                             

        * He promises that He will turn our grief into joy: "Weeping may
            remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." 
            (Psalm 30:5) This night seems long at times, but I am relying
           on our Heavenly Father whose faithfulness is boundless. That
           rejoicing in the morning often comes from just being still and
           knowing that His presence fills this very room. When I read the
           countless promises in His Word, that peace like a river floods my 
           soul. I am ready for the day, ready for the victory. Together we 
           will win this day! 


Coach Freeze and his Rebels (or Black Bears?) found success with his Win the Day motto, and I'm thinking Caleb is on to something with his morning prayer.  Not just for ourselves, but for our fellow travelers who are in battles of their own-- "Lord Jesus, we know you are on our side and we have ultimate victory in You. Please help us all to 'Win this day' so that others might see Your light reflected in our lives. To Your name be all the glory and power. Amen."

"You cannot expect to be victorious if the day begins only in your own strength. Face the work of every day with the influence of a few thoughtful, quiet moments with your heart and God."
                                                  from Streams in the Desert


Now let's go win this day!