Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The focus of an athlete or coach on the field or court of competition is to never quit, never give up, never back down, but only to keep competing regardless of how bleak the game might look at the moment. We play to win the game. Case in point, I remember like it was yesterday, the University of Alabama’s stunning come-from-behind victory in the 2018 national championship game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide captured its fifth championship in nine years on that fateful Monday night in Atlanta, beating UGA on the final play of the game to win 26-23.Alabama found itself in a hole, down 13-0 at halftime and unable to find a rhythm; However, that's when head coach Nick Saban decided to pull starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts, who'd only lost twice in two years, for an unproven, inexperienced true freshman – on college football's biggest stage. His name? Tua Tagovailoa. Tua bailed out his kicker to lead his team in storybook fashion. Tagovailoa likely never imagined being in the game, let alone throwing the game-winning touchdown pass. However, as he waited, he stayed prepared, he stayed ready and he never quit. He stayed focused, even when the game looked like certain failure.In a similar way, sometimes life has kicked you in the teeth and you’re down and out on the sidelines of life. You’ve packed it in. Waiting for the next shoe to drop. Nothing seems to be going right in your life. A sudden job loss, the career change you weren’t expecting, an unexpected family death, a call from your doctor explaining the test results, the wayward child that is in the far country of life, the spouse that walks out on the family and you’re left all alone. You’re waiting for the ‘clock of life’ to simply expire so you can pack it in. And you ask, "What Now?"Here is the truth: I’m not sure what adversity you’re facing today or what challenge you’re currently experiencing in your life. However, I do know that God reminds you in His Word to keep moving forward. Don’t get stuck. Don’t quit. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t sit, sulk and pout. Rather, trust Him. Seek Him. Stay in His word. Listen to Him. Depend on Him. Abide with Him. Obey Him. Talk with Him and stay prepared everyday. If you do, He will show you which path to take and He will direct your steps. Never forget: ‘The best antidote to fear is action.’ Therefore, keep moving forward and keep making progress.Remember: The storms in nature and in life always have an expiration date. God is a good, good Father. So when you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart!Love God! Love People! Live Sent!KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 41 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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