I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game – a serious game – two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn’t know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing. I wished the parents and coaches could have done the same.

The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they didn’t seem to care. They were having fun.

In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs.

The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you’re five years old because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them.

Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy. He became a raging maniac – shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late – they scored a third goal.

I soon learned who the goalie’s parents were. They were nice, decent-looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office; he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was no use; he couldn’t stop them.

He didn’t quit, but he became quiet. Desperate futility was written all over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder – yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay – to hang in there. He grieved for the pain his son was feeling.

After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I’ve seen it before. The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He retrieved the ball from the net and handed it to the referee – and then he cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees and put his fists to his eyes – and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted.

When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife clutched his arm and said, “Jim, don’t. You’ll embarrass him.” But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn’t supposed to; the game was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all, he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I’ve never been so proud of a man in my life.

He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, “Scotty, I’m so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son.”

“Daddy,” the boy sobbed, “I couldn’t stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me.”

“Scotty, it doesn’t matter how many times they scored on you. You’re my son, and I’m proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can’t. And, son, you’re going to get scored on again, but it doesn’t matter. Go on, now.” It made a difference. I could tell it did.

When you’re all alone, and you’re getting scored on – and you can’t stop them – it means a lot to know that it doesn’t matter to those who love you. The little guy ran back on to the field, and they scored two more times. But it was okay.

I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being. And Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees – sinful, convicted, helpless.

And my Father rushes right out on the field right in front of the whole crowd – the whole jeering, laughing world – and He picks me up, and He hugs me and He says, “I’m so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the outcome of this game, I declare you The Winner.”

20 Responses to The Winner

  1. Giovanna says:

    Inspirational. As usual God sends a message just when we need it most.

  2. Richard says:

    How does God do it? The timely Word of comfort, encouragement, Love, discipline – whatever I need and always from in unexpected way when I am not actually reaching out to Him as I ought to. THANK YOU

  3. Omorede Rawlings says:

    Words fail me. But notwithstanding thank you for this powerful Illustration. It was a blessing. More grace to you sir

  4. garry says:

    This story was great. We can’t ever do it alone and God is always there meeting us @ our point of need….

  5. anne says:

    I’m blessed with the message………so refreshing!thanks GOD!!!

  6. Lizzy David says:

    I’m really touched by this article, it has done some spiritual healing in respect of my work.

    Thanks and God bless!

  7. uche says:

    very motivational indeed!

  8. willetta says:

    Thanks, I need that message!

  9. Tom Roberts says:

    This really spoke to my heart. I am grateful that God picks me up every time I fumble. I am glad to have an awesome heavenly Daddy.

  10. Eliud Muriithi says:

    What a mighty God we have. He will never ever despise us if only we remain faithful.

  11. ifeoma says:

    What a story. Good to know that Jesus has made us winners while we were still wandering in sin. Irrepective of our sins, His love abound. Thank you Jesus.

  12. Cheryl says:

    We can all be winners if we only trust in him who is our heavenly Father. He is grate.

  13. Tshidi says:

    Totally true. I was sharing yesterday at church that at times we do everything by the wisdom that God has given us to speak over some situations but they dont seem to be going away, to the extent that we start wondering if God is there and thereby sowing seeds of doubt and quitting. So I encouraged the brethren that we continue to pray, stand on the Word of the Lord and God will give us the assurance that He has answered us and given victory as per Psalm 118.

  14. Paul Baiyeru says:

    Thanks so much for this wonderful piece. A big encouragement for every godly earthly father to do more for their children. And a great reminder of the awesome love and forbearance of our Heavenly Father

  15. Yesi says:

    Many times i’ve felt the same way, I tell God “I’m frustrated Lord, but he tells me to get back up. Even though I cant see him, I know he is there cheering me on.” Thiank you for this illustration. And thank you Jesus, I LOVE YOU

  16. simone says:

    I was giving up this inspiration is helping me to rethink

  17. Derek says:

    Thank you for this,reminding me that my father in heaven is always with me even in my challenges that frankly are shortlived.

  18. Geert says:

    Just what the Doctor ordered! Thanks!

  19. Doreen says:

    What an inspirational illustration…but wow,what an awesome God and Father we have!

  20. Apolosi says:

    I am getting tired of the unresolved chronic problem at work that and felt like that we’re fighting a loosing battle. It is frustrating that I have thought about within me to quit. That small voice in me kept on saying that you cannot quit now, I will be with you. I need to trust Him that he is in control and he will be with me.

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