It’s the 4th Quarter, So Finish Strong!

If you’ve watched football, you’ve seen it.  At the end of the 3^rd Quarter, the players on both teams will often stretch a hand skyward with four fingers extended.  What’s their point?  To remind one another that the game isn’t over yet – it’s not time to quit or sit – it’s time to give all they have to seek victory. 

Can you imagine a coach’s response if a player said, “I’m saving myself for the next game, Coach, since this game is almost over.”?  I’m confident the coach would utter lots of unkind things, including the query, “What in the world are you saving yourself FOR?”   Fair question.

As a Follower of Jesus Christ, it seems I’m entering a period of life that could be termed my “4^th Quarter”.  How old is that?  Old enough to know that most of my effort as a believer and servant of Jesus is past.  The game isn’t over for me yet, but the days that lie ahead are certainly fewer than those that lie behind.  So, what am I supposed to do in this situation? 

Many adults dream about the chance to stop working a 9-5 job, drawing a monthly check you’ve been counting on, and spending sunny days on the beach or the golf course.  After a hard-working life, isn’t the 4^th Quarter for our leisure and rest?  Well, consider these words from Scripture:

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.   James 4:14 NLT

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.   Mark 8:35. NLT

Does that sound like Jesus intended us to put our feet up on the couch or lean back in the recliner?  Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing sinful about wanting to spend a little time beach-combing or trying to sink a 20-foot putt.  We all need a break sometimes.  But you weren’t redeemed to become a lazy beach-walker.  You weren’t bought by the blood of Christ to share the good views at the Masters Tournament, but to share the Good News of the Master’s sacrifice!

Here’s what being a 4^th Quarter adult SHOULD mean to you:  You are still important to the Kingdom of God.  God has spent a lifetime building His truth and service and value into your life.  Now is not the time to quit or sit.  Now is the time to Finish Strong!  Can you hear the Coach saying, “What in the world are you saving yourself for?”  Leave a Legacy of Faith by serving and giving strong to the end.  The game isn’t over until Christ calls you home.  Until then, how about “leaving it all on the field”, as the players say?  If you’d like to connect with other 4^th Quarter adults who are determined to continue making a difference for the Kingdom, check out http://4thq.org/.  YOU may be the person in your church that rallies others to Finish Strong after they assumed they were ready to ease off into the sunset.

Just one final thought from Scripture.  This one comes from 4^th Quarter King David as a reminder to us all: 

Be strong. Have strength of heart and do it.  Do not be afraid or troubled, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not stop helping you. He will not leave you until all the work...is finished.   1 Chronicles 28:20

Teach kids in Children’s Church.  Hold someone’s hand at Hospice.  Take a mission trip.  Just don’t quit and sit.  It is, after all, only the 4^th Quarter.  So Finish Strong. 

Jacob