Offsides, Tensions and Victories

OFFSIDES, TENSIONS AND VICTORIES

By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@gmail.com | image credit: the guardian.com

I am a seasonal football fan and this usually begins during the quarter final stages through to the finals of major tournaments such as the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) or World Cup.

The just concluded AFCON tournament which saw the victory of Senegal, a team I was supporting, got me to finally understand the meaning of offsides and confirmed the over one hundred minutes of nail biting tension I avoid with any deciding match. I only got a taste of Senegal’s sweet victory miles away from where the actual celebration is taking place even at the time of penning this story. The Country and continent are elated by this first win.

In contrast, there was the other team and their fans who were really dejected. With hands on their heads, faces looking down, a good photographer knows how to zoom in and capture the faces of both sides to share to the world for a good fortune. The team that lost have had their fair share of victories in similar tournaments and know too well that good feeling that comes with winning such a game.

However, the waves happiness and sadness come to a halt after a short while and life goes back to normal. Players have learned to live with the bitter residue of goofy mistakes they make in matches that have cost their teams in the past. I was really happy for Senegal and so were many

of us who developed some esprit de corps for the team. See, I usually support the ‘underdogs’. The little known teams that have never won these major tournaments despite the fact that they may be playing against more experienced players.

This got me thinking about the victory we Christians have in Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I am encouraged that the moment I accepted Christ in my life as LORD and Saviour, I will not suffer any offsides, or need to deal with the tensions of life, because I am a victor in Christ Jesus.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection on the third day sealed the final goal of Victory for we believers. Though the opponent, the devil is still suffering in shock over this Victory, though the enemy tries to kill, steal and destroy the joy that comes from being on the winning side, he knows that he has lost and no VAR is needed for the victory is very clear.

Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

If you are not a believer, I urge you to come on the winning side where there are no offsides, or tensions, because the victory is clear. The joy is not temporary, but an everlasting joy that will not fade away.

To be on the winning side simply act on this prayer from Romans 10:9-11, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”