Larry always loved the game of football, and a chance to spend some time behind a large screen to watch his favourite game could be described as one of the best moments of his life. It was the 28th of February, a hot Sunday afternoon, after a wonderful time at church, when he received an invitation to come and watch the game between Arsenal and Leicester, and as usual, his eyes lit up and expressed much delight, but this game opened his mind to so much truth about certain common situations.
About four minutes into the game, a player from the Leicester team scored the very first goal, which was swift and unexpected– it was like a flash, as the ball passed right by the goalkeeper into the net. It was there Larry realised that breakthroughs come early for some people and for others, very late. However, it’s not a matter of who you see yourself to be or whether you see yourself as deserving of it, but it’s more about why the breakthrough came to you, and most importantly, at that particular time.
After a moment of exciting movements of the ball from one team to another, causing hearts to race and blood to rush through capillaries, while others were equally having the game of their lives, as they watched the battle play between the two teams, Larry witnessed a near-goal experience which involuntarily caused words to escape from his lips. The goalkeeper dived to the right to catch the ball, but it slipped from his hands, however, he managed to stretch out his right hand, then, he grabbed the ball to his chest, as though, it was his most prized possession. “Whenever we lose something in our lives, we don’t realize its worth, till we feel the void, and when an opportunity comes for us to refill that void, we grab it with all the strength we have, because the refill makes us better, so when we lose grip of the Spirit of God, and we have the chance to grab Him, even by a hem, we must do it with all our strength, because in Him, we find our purpose,” Larry relayed the words solemnly, however, audible enough, causing the young men in the room to look at him, and he smiled.
The end of the game was classic, as Leicester lost to Arsenal by two; meaning, the only goal Leicester scored was their early breakthrough goal, and it was an unexpected outcome. Unexpected outcomes may be pleasant or vice versa, depending on which end of the situation one falls, and in this case, it was unpleasant for Leicester.
Larry realised that some breakthroughs tarry, so that one is prepared for the ‘big surprise’, as well as, appreciate the breakthrough when its season comes. The breakthrough can be lost, even when experienced for a moment, basically, because of attitude.
Similarly, it doesn’t matter how long we wait, but the hope we attach to the wait, because in the end, when testifying, it must be one that had an inspiring means, which led to a graceful end. When the young men were discussing the outcome of this game, with the fans of the losing team relatively dull, compared to the fans of the winning team, Larry silenced the noise for a moment, “Guys! Guys!” He got their attention. “Morally examining this game,” he furrowed his brows, scratched his head and continued, “the end doesn’t necessarily justify the means, but the means make the end worthwhile.” He said with a smile.
