Losing

I'm not sure I know anyone who "likes" to lose.  I don't like to lose.  I have a competitive streak in me.  Losing is not fun.  But the fact is that more people experience "losing" than winning.  For instance, the NCAA basketball tourney.  64 teams (actually 68 now).  One goes home winning the championship.  63 teams go home the loser at some point. 

I have had a GREAT time this past year coaching my son's U-10 soccer team.  Between the fall and spring seasons, we were undefeated!!  19-0.  19 times we went home the winner.  0-- the times we went home the loser.  Until this past weekend.  We played in the District Soccer tourney in Hattiesburg.  Guess what?!  We didn't win a game.  We were 0-3.  I asked the boys after the first loss how it felt to lose.  The response, "HORRIBLE".  They were visibly upset.  I didn't want to lose either.  However, I've experienced more loss than they have in my life.  I mean, come on, I am a Miss. State fan.  I know how to make it through tough times.  But to see the response of boys who had not experienced a loss in soccer in over a year was interesting.  I felt bad for them.  They are all GREAT players!!  They play as a team.  And I told them.....we win as a team and we lose as a team.  It was no one person's fault. 

I guess my point in all of this is that sometimes losing gives us a glimpse of what most people experience.  Whether in sports...or in life.  At some point, you will lose.  Some people look at dying as "losing".  If you are a follower of Christ, though, losing is "winning".  Gaining the whole world, yet forfeiting your soul....that's losing.  Dying of self to Christ....that's winning. 

Comments

[Scott Dickens]

Great post Mark! We may all think we are losing at life sometimes but God is molding us as we do the clay. Life lessons are around every corner.

[Dennis]

So sorry to hear the "championship trip" didn't go as hoped for. The key word being "hoped." We "hope" for many things throughout life . . .safety, health, the right spouse, success, and even to WIN. However, our ultimate "HOPE" is in Jesus Christ, for He and He alone freely gives us what we don't deserve in the least . . .eternal life through His sacrifice. It has to be tough to go through 3 losses back to back at 8 or 9 years old, especially after a stellar season like they had, but having the spritual guidance they have through you will get them through just fine. Yep, they'll be just fine.