Rev. Stewart Speaks!- 4th Quarter
By Rev. Dr. Lakeya Stewart
FWIS Contributing Writer
At the beginning of the year, many of us set goals and New Years’ Resolutions. Some of us started out strong going to the gym and working towards our goals and now have found ourselves running out of time to meet our goals. The clock is ticking…
Speaking of clocks, I am reminded of my time in marching band in high school. As the clock would be ticking for the game to begin, I can imagine the football players preparing for the game. One would assume that the players would be checking to ensure their pads and protective equipment were properly fitted and functional. Likewise, we are told as believers to “put on the whole armor of God so that we can withstand the wiles of the devil” (paraphrase of Ephesians 6:11). The wiles of the devil are those things that have us discouraged.
Now, picture this… It’s the beginning of a football game and the clock is set. At this point, there is no indication of who will win. Some may assume who will win based on the teams previous record. Others root for the home team, whether they are good or not.
I have seen games where teams were the underdogs or were behind going into the 4th quarter, but still played with fervor. What did these people know? They knew that the game was not over until the end of the 4th quarter.
The first 3 quarters of 2023 may have brought you heartache, setbacks and challenges (financial, emotional, physical, loss of employment, fertility struggles, etc). Your situation may feel bleak and hopeless, but I want to remind you that it is not over until the end of the 4th quarter. Here we are in the month of October, and there is still time.
I am reminded of Isaiah 40:31 which says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Maybe you have been weary and have felt like your strength has been waning. If so, there is hope.
On the football field, the coach and other teammates can often be heard giving words of motivation and encouragement to the players telling them not to give up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” This scripture tells us as believers to speak life and encouragement to others in order to build them up. This is especially important while others are going through the challenges of life. As the year is quickly coming to an end, I want to remind you again, that we are closing out the 4th quarter. Time is quickly passing by, but know that God says in Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
So, I encourage you all to put those former things behind you and to focus your energy on what is yet ahead. Keep your eyes on the prize. The 4th quarter has just begun and you have time. Don’t look in the rearview mirror as naturally it is small and does not allow you to focus on the images behind you. It is there to give us a glimpse of what is behind us. It is small and takes up just enough space to remain in our sight. As believers, we are encouraged to look straight ahead through the windshield which is clear and wide for our view. Again, there is a reason the windshield mirror is large and the rearview mirror is small. Our focus should be on what lies ahead. There is hope. Keep the faith. Don’t give up. The clock is ticking. What will you do with the time that you have left? Be blessed.