“And this is what he promised us — eternal life.” — 1 John 2:25
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Through my decades of coaching high school basketball, I eventually came to the realization that the final score on the scoreboard as the clock ticks down is just that — a set of numbers. They don’t define worth, shape identity or bring lasting peace. Winning in sports, while exciting, is ultimately temporary and doesn’t hold significance in the eternal scheme of things.
But there is a victory that is everything. It’s independent of scores, records or material possessions. It’s about that ultimate final moment, when you take your last breath on this earth, when your heart beats for the last time, and your life here comes to a close. At that moment, you have either won the greatest victory or missed it.
If you’ve won, you’ll wake up in the presence of Jesus, welcomed into eternal joy and peace. If you haven’t, you’ll face an eternity of separation from God. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). There are no overtimes, no extra timeouts, and no do-overs in this. When that moment arrives, winning IS everything.
Eternal victory is not accompanied with a trophy or acclaim. It comes from knowing you’ve given your life to the One who defeated death itself. No earthly achievement can rival the everlasting victory achieved in a personal relationship with Jesus. When the ultimate moment arrives, it’s not about stats, scores or checklists; it’s about standing before God and knowing you’ve been welcomed home to spend eternity worshiping the King of kings.
Are you ready for the final victory? Remember, winning isn’t everything … until it is.
— Melissa Motes
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