Ok,
the big game has come and gone. As with any big game, the build-up to game day
is longer than the game itself. Then, in a flash, the climaxes, especially
those exhilarating ones in the 4th quarter, are over …gone, done, a quickly
fading memory.
Similarly,
the game of life has what should be an exciting 4th quarter; replete
with exciting climaxes to a life well lived.
Are
you approaching or perhaps already in the 4th quarter of your life’s
game? Then join me in counting your blessings, considering the millions who
never experience walking this part of our trail.
As
in a sporting game, the first 3 quarters of our lives have been the build-up to
this 4th quarter, anticipating a myriad of climaxes, much like the
glorious heights reached by exploding fireworks. Suddenly, they burst on the
scene, ‘exploding’ in all their glory…
retirement parties, grandchildren, long-delayed professional recognitions and
send-offs, and the launch of retirement dreams, peaceful times away from the
world of work, time to pursue a hobby, etc. As fast as they exploded, it
may seem the bursts of glory are too quickly over. Then what?
Like
a parent watching a race in which his/her child is running, I imagine God
watches to see us cross the line that begins
our 4th quarter. I believe He wants the world, your spectators,
to see and to know what He already knows, namely how well you will finish the
race that has been set before you! Will it be ho-hum, with more of the same
stuff you tolerated and dished out to people during the first 3 quarters, or an
invitation to Him into previously closed-off areas of your life, to do
something significantly different and glorious …for eternal benefit? He already knows what you and others will come
to know as each day unfolds.
Many
people staunchly reject the very notion of changing gears or tracks, and
getting on a more contemplative/reflective/service-oriented track during any
quarter in their lives. Rather than embrace an awaiting 4th quarter,
perhaps they live an extended 3rd quarter experience, continuing
their push to increase their bottom line moneywise, working for ‘things that do
not satisfy [or last]’ (Isaiah 55:2) until a debilitation sets in
that prohibits their further push, or until their departure from this life.
While
pondering the blessing of my own 4th quarter experience, it became
clear what we may call the 4th quarter of life is really the end
of the 3rd quarter of God’s design for life. The 2nd
and 3rd quarters are life in
vitro, followed by life on earth. These experiences are sandwiched between
the 1st and 4th quarter of His design, namely a pre- and post-eternity experience. Sounds
odd? The Bible refers to God as ‘the Father of all spirits’ (Hebrews 12:9),
from whom all human spirits come and to whom they certainly shall return.
Toward
the end of the 3rd quarter, a good coach carefully reassesses and
adjusts the team’s line-up and tactics to enhance its chances for a winning 4th
quarter. If you are blessed to reach this far in the game of life, rest assured
great Grace has been
extended to you for this exact purpose. I hope you will join me in recognizing,
and will not squander this tremendous opportunity.
Psalm
138:8 reports, ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.’ Could
much of this perfecting work possibly occur in our 4th quarter of
life, especially if we have spent much of the first 3 quarters pursuing what
Jesus called mammon, and dealing with the steady onset of cares of this world? If
so, the 4th quarter should see our greater availability for Him to
complete this perfecting work. Otherwise, I wonder if Heaven may have the
equivalent of ‘make up’ classes’. ;o)
Here
are some good tips from a wise man on the run-up to your 4th quarter.
As you read, consider what if we failed to follow his wise advice during
the first 3 quarters of life?
Remember now
your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
‘I have no
pleasure in them’:
While the sun and the light,
The moon and the
stars, are not darkened,
And the clouds do not return after the rain.
And the clouds do not return after the rain.
Remember your
Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave (fathered) it.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave (fathered) it.
(Solomon,
Ecclesiastes 12)
One of my 4th
quarter wishes:
Someone is being
encouraged (by me).
Someone is being
helped.
Someone is being
urged,
To tighten
his/her spiritual belt.
