down and left for dead
Years ago when I was coaching high school basketball in Iowa,
I remember one of my teams playing in Ft. Dodge on a cold January night. With 1:05 left in the game Ft. Dodge scored on an earth-shattering dunk to put us down 12 points. The crowd began to leave. Who could blame them … behind by 12 with 65 seconds left in the game … most folks left us for dead.
Suddenly we stole the ball several times … scored three straight 3-point baskets … and watched Ft. Dodge miss some crucial free throws down the stretch. You guessed it … left for dead we got up off the floor and won the game. That was wild night. It was always a pleasure coaching players that were committed.
The apostle Paul was like that.
Listen to these words from Acts 14:19-20 …
” … They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. … “
No matter the cost or the circumstances, Paul was committed to telling others about Jesus … even when he was down and left for dead. What about you ? What about me ? When you are down and left for dead … do you roll over … or get back into the game ?
