PAUSE... AND RELEASE

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Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and if I don’t see you, have a good night. That pretty much covers it, so until next time, so long. Yeah, not so quick. It’s Sunday, October 29th, and I’m honored to be writing to the entire handful of readers who have eyes to see and ears to hear whatever the Lord has me put to paper. I believe that the opening line up there was from some Jim Carrey movie, so I give thanks to that writer and hope I don’t upset someone for borrowing it. So thank you, mister writer and movie maker.

Well, we got our first snow of the winter, and the working furnace is one of the many things I am grateful for this morning. And at the same time, I pray for the many who are less fortunate all over the world dealing with much greater adversities and battles. “I pray for comfort and peace to all.” In Jesus name, Amen.

Earlier this week, I was jumping through some streaming services and ran into an awesome and comforting movie called “Seven Days in Utopia.” It was an ESPN instant classic and the inspiration for today’s message. I was fired up to find this new movie, and I couldn’t stop watching it. Well, new is a matter of perspective. I soon discovered, after sharing with others, that it came out in 2011, and the rotten tomatoes folks gave it a 22%. How cool is that! You see, once again, He’s a funny guy, our God. He, like all other things, will reveal themselves in His perfect timing specifically for each and every one of us. He is mindful of us all (Psalm 8). That’s the chapter God had me memorize (in a short two months). This has brought it back full circle at precisely the right moment. As a bonus, the dogs were able to go out this morning and play in the snow for the first time in months.

Seven Days in Utopia is about a guy seeking victory on the PGA Tour, or so it seems. He has the proverbial peaks and valleys along the way, and through a great story, as with the Bible, the lesson is in the details. I have the same goal when playing two-man beach volleyball every Thursday. And since the kiddo and I began our quest for victory on the sand over a year ago, I prayed for victory every match so I could give the glory to God. I figured if He would let this 59-year-old athlete compete and defeat a much younger crowd, I would make sure they all knew where the victory came from. But even with that intent, I was too focused on myself and my worldly goals. I have since learned to focus on the “who” and “how” He would lead me in humility to “exact” and “great” victory, rather than hollow and empty victory. So two weeks ago, when we began the latest league as the #2 seed, I was a complete ass on the court, getting pissed off in defeat while focusing only on winning. Later in the week, after starting 1-3 in the league, I watched a Bible study that focused on the need to simply pause and release. So, in the following two weeks of competition, I did just that several times. The game became fun again, and the wins followed. Then, just last week, I watched a movie titled “Seven Days in Utopia” followed by a Sunday service on Joshua.

Now, I will try to tie this time in my life together and provide something useful for our journeys to come. Without getting deep into the weeds and taking too much of your time, Joshua was seeking victory at Jericho. And with very specific guidance from God, he was victorious by being obedient and disciplined. Now, in “Seven Days in Utopia,” the golfer eventually learns this lesson after failure when relying on his own understanding. But only after being immersed in a place called Utopia for a week while introduced to some of God’s children did the lesson and path to exact and great victory become clear. Please understand that while I’m sharing through the field of athletics, these lessons are for every moment and all seasons of life that come with it.

Biblically, we know that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go through all times of defeat and victory. So be strong and of good courage. And when you ask, “Where are these victories?” during seasons of despair and defeat, do not worry. The Lord will walk with you during your losses and bring victory through your consistent obedience and faith as you inspire others. This will be done if you seek the Lord and His way and His thoughts, as His way and His thoughts are higher than your own. So, “pause and release.” Pause and let the Lord lead; condition yourself until this becomes second nature, until you consistently let Him direct and redirect to bring “exact” and “great” victory, not just victory.

Here are a few takeaways from the movie that may seem to focus directly on sports but are very pertinent to life. Focus patiently on feel, with rhythm and balance, not on the outcome. Don’t think… see. Here is a quote from the movie that I really appreciate: “The truth is faith, relationships, character, and integrity. That God has a purpose and calling for you that is much deeper than any earthly goal. These truths will become your new heartbeat—the foundation of your new life. The lies are everything you’ve been told about how worldly achievements are a reflection of your identity and self-worth, or that failure in a worldly goal is failure in life. Take the truths with you, but bury the lies right here, right now. Once you have buried your lies, chisel your living epitaph.”

In closing, I want to share a couple of final thoughts and an acronym from the movie I call upon every day. Above all else, please remind yourself early and often, “Nothing can stand against the power of our God,” and the battles belong to Him and Him alone. Please remember that worldly victory is simply a plus in the win column. An exact or great victory is a priceless, joyful, God-fueled gift intended specifically for you on your journey with Him when you let Him direct and redirect. Then, you will be rewarded with peace that surpasses all understanding as you give all the spoils and credit back to Him and inspire others with your testimony along the way.

SFT

SEE GOD’S FACE.

FEEL HIS PRESENCE.

TRUST HIS LOVE.

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Until next time,

Much love and be blessable,

Larry