"Downtime is Halftime"

This is for everyone who has thought about it… quitting, giving up, throwing in the towel, running away, jumping off a bridge, crying, suicide …anything that would stop you from walking into your destiny. Anything that would stop you from finding and living your life with great purpose. I beg you to keep going. Don’t quit. I know it’s hard for you and I know it’s not easy to keep going. I love my family a great deal, but having been married twice with kids in both directions and it can get emotionally, very difficult. On one side the mom has this agenda; on the other side the mom has another agenda. …And I am dad in the middle wanting so very badly to be with his children. But for financial reasons, I must work long hours in order to “pay” (you get it?).

By the time I made a “true” decision, everything at that point was so fractured, I found myself wanting to quit on everything and everybody. I wanted to get my life back on track, but felt overwhelmed at where to begin. But then something wonderful happened! Right as I contemplated running away to Utah (I know of all places [shaking my head]), God began to speak to me. He asked me, so what are you going to do when you get to Utah. God said, “I could let you leave all this behind, run away and act as if none of this ever existed, but to what end? Is this really who you are?” I began to cry, looked down and asked… “But what am I to do Lord? I feel like my actions have destroyed everything that I hold dear. How do you I make it “right”? God answered and said, “This is not a time of pity, nor is it the time to hang your head. I know that you are tired, and I am beginning to sense your hunger for more. To be loved, to love, to rear your children, to have that career, to make amends with those you have hurt or offended, to be closer to Me… to truly begin to live your life with a purpose, My purpose!”

The last thing God said was, “Son you are down, but not in the way you think you are. This is merely downtime to get it right, not to sulk and throw a pity party.” So I begin to think downtime… downtime. Aha! Downtime! Like half time of a game. Picture being a player for a basketball or football team. Its halftime (aka downtime) and you’re losing big time! You feel like there is no way you’re gonna win (self-pity). You wanna take off your jersey and throw it in the trash (running away, quitting, and giving up). In your mind you don’t even want to play anymore (suicide). But then the coach (God) starts to speak to your mind and heart. He says don’t quit, don’t give up, don’t run away, don’t throw in the towel. DON’T DON’T DON’T!

This is your time to be rejuvenated, not to start over but to start fresh. Whatever you are dealing with, it will still be there until you have dealt with it. It is time to look at your mess from a new perspective, with a new pair of “eyes”. I know… It’s overwhelming! You think to yourself where do I begin? I urge you; the first part of the mess that needs to be cleaned is you. Give yourself a look in the mirror. That is the answer. Whatever issues you need to overcome, whatever problems you face. Whatever you don’t have going in your life. It all starts with one. You… Remember, downtime is halftime. You can still win if you believe! 1 Peter 5:10 (amp) says, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be…And from me… I just want you to win. (Hugging you tight) Love you (ya’ll)… See you next Sunday!

~justJames~