Second Wind

By Overseer Christopher J. Harris
This week's topic: Finishing Well

There is almost nothing greater than seeing a great track and field competition in which the underdog is already counted out before the race starts. They start out slow and low and behold you see the underdog seemingly get strength out of nowhere and they forge ahead to finish the race well! In common terms, we call that a “second wind.”

Getting your ‘second wind’ literally means that you are able to obtain a renewed energy towards a task. It clearly denotes a picture of a person being tired, worn out, beaten down, whipped, overwhelmed and disoriented. And while the person has the desire to push through all of this, there are mental, emotional, physical, and sometimes spiritual realities that seem elusive and out of reach. It is at these points of frustration that seemingly, the individual musters enough wherewithal to fight through the tiredness and disorientation – getting a ‘second wind’.

I believe, unequivocally, that God is a God that dishes out “second winds.” They aren’t just given to anyone. They are distributed to the people who really desire to serve God with all of their heart, mind and soul. His Word confirms it. Reading Hebrews 12: 2-3 (Message), it shares, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”

It gives us clear understanding of how to get our ‘second wind,’if we’re exhausted by life. It shows us how to:

1) Concentrate! - Concentrate on who you are and who you are trying to please. Ultimately, you are trying to please God. In the middle of living, if you strive to please God, you will work to please yourself and others.

2) Consider! – Consider the discipline and dedication to winning that Jesus exhibited. The scripture says, ‘study how He did it.’ He had options to quit and chose not to. You too have options to quit. But don’t. There’s more to life that you haven’t seen yet. If you give up now, you will miss the greater stuff yet to be seen and accomplished in your life.

3) Celebrate! – Celebrate everything. Celebrate your past, pains and problems. Celebrate your path, purpose and provisions. Celebrate your talents and gifts. Celebrate your future and your faith. James (1:2-4) shows us that every challenging time in life proves to have greater achievement for our future.

When you do these three things, among others, it will shoot adrenaline into your soul. When you get adrenaline in your soul, it will ignite a fire in your mental capacities. You’ll develop ideas and creativity will start to live with you. When your spiritual and mental capacities receive a boost, your physical and emotional stamina builds and shapes. Don’t live in your frustration and disorientation. During this holiday time, you’re going to get your second wind to finish the year strong and start the New Year with drive. Take a deep breath – and prepare for your second wind!

Scripture Of The Day: "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed." - Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)