We made it to Orlando, Florida and it is almost time to call it a night.  A team of 10 of us from Charleston Southern University arrived here about 5:30 p.m.  We could not have asked for a more pleasant drive or a more beautiful day.  We checked into our rooms and went out to grab some supper.  That’s when things took a turn for the worse…

We went to a local chain restaurant and were told we had about a 20 minute wait to be seated.  Forty-five minutes later, we had our table.  Well, sort of.  Our tables were not even connected, but we were close.  Ten minutes later, we had our drinks.  Twenty minutes later, our appetizers arrived.  Twenty-five minutes later our meal arrived.  Twenty minutes later our second choice for deserts arrived (our first choice for desert, an Oreo Delight that would make any dieter stumble and crumble to his knees, sold out about 2 hours earlier so we settled for a substitute).   Fifteen minutes later, the manager showed up and gave us a $10 off coupon and a $175 food ticket.   Ten minutes later they collected the bill and gave us the receipt for our records.  So, after almost 3 hours at the restaurant, our dinning experience mercifully came to an end!

Isn’t that how life is?  One minute things are going great, the next minute someone pulls the rug out from under us!  We all know the routine.

  • We get a raise at work.  The kids need braces.
  • We get a new car.  People in the parking garage really don’t care!
  • Our hair turn gray.  Then our hair turns loose.

I could ramble on, but I see you shaking your head in agreement.  You get the idea.  So what do we do about it?   We remember the words of Jesus to His disciples in John 16:33.  “In this world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  Life is going to be hard.  That is simply the human experience.  But we win because Jesus has overcome.  The word “overcome” is a powerful word that can also mean “conquer or prevail.”  It is where we get the word NIKE from (yes, like the shoe company).   VICTORY!

It is getting late so let me wrap this up.  Life is hard.  God is good.  So life is good for the child of God.  Why?  Because Jesus has won, we share in His victory.  We win!  Period.  So no sword, lion, cancer, bullet, accident, rainy day, and yes..even a bad “dining experience” can change the fact that we win.  Orlando, get ready, we serve you as victors tomorrow!

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