Lent@Landmark: Day 22

October 23, 1988 is the date of one of my all-time favorite family moments. I was 14 years old, sitting on the floor of our living room. My Philadelphia Eagles were in Washington, D.C. playing the Redskins (today called the Washington Commanders), and Washington’s Chip Lohmiller had just kicked a field goal to give them a 30-14 lead at halftime. My sister was five years old and wasn’t all that invested, but my parents and brothers had seen enough, walking away from the TV in disgust.

I, however, have always found it difficult to admit when I’m beaten. This is not a boast—admitting defeat would have saved me lots of wasted time and energy that I’ll never get back many times in my life.

I asked, “Where’s everybody going? You’re going to miss an amazing comeback!” It was mostly in jest, but I admit there was a slim hope in there I might have the last laugh too.

My all-time favorite player, Randall Cunningham, led the Eagles to outscore Washington 28-7 in the second half to claim a 42-37 victory, one of the greatest comebacks in the team’s history, and I got to claim an amazing I-told-you-so moment.

Of course, sometimes the choice to hope has higher stakes than whether or not your favorite team can pull off an unlikely win.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 118:1-2)

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 118:19-25)

There’s no exact science to spotting those moments when it’s time to press on in hope for the unlikely victory, or when it’s time to admit defeat and use our time and energy for a better outcome next time.

What we can count on is the endurance of the Love of Christ, and that the ultimate outcome of following Him may not always be entirely clear, but will always be a victory. —MH