But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
–1 Corinthians 15:57
There is so much that you and I can learn from the failures and victories of athletic champions. Years ago I learned one of these lessons by reading about legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.
This great coach began his career at UCLA in 1948 at the age of 37. But it took him 16 years to win his first national championship! After his team had lost in the first round of the championships in 1950, 1952, and 1956, he read something that changed his thinking. It said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts!”
You see, Wooden thought he knew everything about basketball, but he didn’t. So he invited other coaches to evaluate his players in practice. He hired assistants who would challenge his thinking. He re-evaluated everything. And eventually, UCLA became one of the great powerhouses of NCAA basketball!
And from his experiences, Wooden gave us one of the great quotes about life. He said, “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
Let me ask you something. Have you learned from your failures or have you let your failures defeat you?
Listen! We all experience failure, but God wants you to trust him and keep going. Stay in the Scripture. Learn from other followers. Don’t stop now, your victory will come!
Give God everything and he will bring the victory!
DON’T STOP NOW, YOUR VICTORY WILL COME!
