Down by 8 with 1:34 to go!
The Minnesota Golden Gophers Men’s Basketball team trailed in their game against Rutgers last week, never taking the lead until the game’s final basket. We watched in hopeful anticipation as the point gap widened and the Gophers brought it within six. Then it would widen again and come back within a few points. They just couldn’t seem to jump that hurdle and take the lead.
Our family traditionally attends at least one Gophers Men’s Basketball game each season. Basketball (specifically, college basketball) is my all-time favorite sport to watch. I enjoy the NCAA tournament season and sincerely hope that our Gophers will find themselves competing further and further into that bracket challenge one day. We enjoy taking our kids to these games so they can watch, learn, and experience good basketball. Two of our three kiddos play basketball in our community leagues and they are loving it. We enjoy this opportunity to show them the level of accomplishment available with hard work and dedication.
I must admit that our girls were primarily excited about the concessions, and they could not wait until halftime when they could choose their special treat. As we watched the game, however, they became increasingly interested in the rules and techniques on the court. They were concerned at first that there was so much stealing. In the league that our youngest daughter plays in they are not allowed to steal unless it is during a passed ball. She was pretty excited to learn that stealing is okay in older leagues. Our son watched intently, and it was fun to see his wheels turning as offensive plays were executed and defensive strategies played out.
Many fans chose to leave with a couple of minutes remaining because they were convinced that the Gophers were destined to lose this game. The game clock reached 1:34 and the score was Rutgers 68 - Gophers 60. At this point, the odds that the Gophers would win were merely 5%! As fans were packing up and leaving, we looked at our kids and explained to them why we do not leave early. Anything can happen, and 1:34 is plenty of time to come back from an eight-point deficit.
I have written about this previously, but the point was driven home in a clear manner after this game. When I was originally diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Colon Cancer one year ago I was given the very grim prognosis of a 5% chance of survival beyond 2 years.
5%
What would have happened if I had given up with a 1:34 to go? What if I had chosen to accept that as my final outcome? What if I decided to throw in the towel and sit on the bench, watching the game of life pass me by, instead of activating my FAITH and trusting the promises of God? We do not always understand the things that happen on this side of Heaven and I believe that is for good reason. What I DO know is that I did not give up. I did not allow the percentages and statistics to determine my outcome. I chose to fight. I chose each day to thank God for the gift of a new day.
In dramatic fashion, the Gophers came back to win this game by 1 point at the final buzzer.
The statistics and odds were against them the entire time but they took heart and fought their way to victory.
I challenge you to do the same. Life is hard. We all have peaks and valleys. Seasons come and go. When the odds are not looking favorable for you, take a stand. Choose to activate your faith or ask a friend to do this on your behalf. Sometimes we feel like we don’t have enough energy to fight when we are in the midst of a battle. This is where our community comes in. It is okay to ask someone else to fight on your behalf until you find the strength to join them. If you don’t have that person, I will be that person for you.
“Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!”
