"One More Time"

We were in grade school. The best I can remember his name was Bobby Dean. He was the chin-up champion. One day Ricky was being ragged on by Bobby and a few friends. Ricky was challenged to show his "boyliness" (I guess we will use that instead of 'manliness') by chin-ups at lunch recess. Ricky was in a no win situation. He was picked on often and his family wasn't well off as his clothes were less and his appearance. There we all stood. I can't remember how many. To a little boy it seemed like 20-30 kids but I'm not sure it was that many. Bobby Dean had set the record of 8 chin-ups. It was Ricky's turn. Each chin-up was more and more a struggle. Finally, Ricky to the surprise of all, made 8. All were shocked. Bobby Dean was mad and mocking him. Ricky was hanging by his arms but unwilling to let go. Hanging, unable to go up or down, Ricky knew he wasn't going to let go. Everything in his little life depended on this effort. Ricky looked beaten. Suddenly, the voice of one little girl spoke loudly to Ricky, "Okay Ricky, you can do it! One more time!" That was it. It was all it took. Up went Ricky and the rest is in the history of boyhood chronicles!

Encouragement! Sometimes we have been beaten down so many times, failed in our lives and we need that little word of encouragement, "One more time!" We know our failures and are aware of our missteps. We focus too much on us! If we could just look and listen to the voice of the Lord, "Okay, one more time!" Give the failures to the Lord. In Him we are complete (Col. 2:10). Jesus is for us what we aren't. Jesus is our High Priest in the presence of God filling all that is lacking in us. He is our purity, our holiness, our strength and our Mediator! He is what we aren't and He should be our focus.

We have failed so many times and allowed opportunities to slip away but we must fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). He is the perfecter and author of our faith. See Him working on your behalf. Listen to His voice through the word and the next time you find yourself at the end, wanting to quit and walk away He will speak, "One more time!" The reward is great.