Fourth Quarter

It was dark outside as a thunderstorm rolled through. I was walking the hallway alone in my school when the power died. Everything went black. Blinded, I pressed my hand against the wall. “Where’s the light!” I shouted.

I stumbled through the darkness until I jolted awake—it was early in my sophomore year. I still felt off from the dream, but I settled at lunch… until God told me to speak to the entire high school.

“No way!” I pushed back, but eventually I cratered. I approached the principal, and she so kindly granted me the undying privilege of speaking—alone—in front of hundreds.

Suddenly it felt like the entire weight of the football team was resting on my shoulders. What was I supposed to do? Call out to the coach for a better play? Ask my team for help? I found the word me in team, and I tried to carry the whole game alone.

Weeks passed, and fourth quarter was upon me. I was scared; insecure. Should I talk about that dream? My friends helped convince me I had made a horrible mistake. At the last yard, I removed myself from the field.

Unfortunately, I later discovered the disastrous response for not obeying God. The dream was similar to Isaiah 59:10. Seeds of bitterness had already been planted in the student body. God wanted to teach us forgiveness and draw us closer to Him. I failed that day.

Fear, insecurity, and peer pressure were used against me. Satan exploited my weakness. As Christians, we should be wise to the schemes of the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11). Don’t fight this battle of life alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).

In LOTKJ (Chapter 2), Hadwyn and the other leaders are standing over a map, strategizing their next move against Sahib. Alone, some would fall because of haste or uncertainty, but together they guard one another from deadly mistakes. Center yourself in the Body of Christ.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:9

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