Play All Four Quarters of the Life God Has Given You

The fall football season has arrived and one of its lessons is that you need to play four quarters in order to win the game.

On Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles were leading the Atlanta Falcons by ten points in the third quarter. They should have won the game, but lost in the fourth period when Atlanta mounted an inspiring comeback.

The Falcons victory reminded me that life is also made up of four quarters--so to speak. More so than in the sports realm, it's critical to understand these four aspects and live them to the fullest.

Here are the four quarters of life and how to play them well.

Especially for Teens and Twenty-somethings

The first portion of our lives is an important time of self-discovery as we find relationship with Christ and press in to understand his calling on our lives. Knowing why God created us is the crucial assignment of the first quarter of life.

I became a Christ-follower at age fifteen and immediately began to grow in my faith. Following high school, many life-decisions had to be made. After meandering for a year or two, I came to the conclusion that my greatest need was to find God's plan for my life. That led me to the country of New Zealand and then Europe where God's confirmed my vocation as a missionary who was called to be a revivalist.

Thus my life's work was set in motion. I knew why I was created.

Apparently most Americans agree with me that this is the important first step. A 2010 Gallup poll of 1,714 people funded by Baylor University, the National Science Foundation found that nearly three quarters of all Americans--73%--say "I know God has a plan for me."

This is stunning since Darwinian evolution has held a grip on American schools for decades and has told every student the following message: "There is no God and you are simply an accident of nature that happened because of random forces."

Not too inspiring for a young person's vocation. I'm a random accident? 

No wonder some of the younger generation appear rudderless and youth suicides are up. During a trip to Texas this week I read the "evolutionary Bible"--Darwin's Origin of the Species--from cover to cover. It was both depressing and enlightening. But that is the subject of another article.

The Gallup poll is heartening. Though our kids in the public schools are being brainwashed, many are rejecting the message. Something (or Someone) inside is telling them:

"You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God--you're breath-taking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body. You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted  from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day" (Psalm 139:14-16 - The Message).

Yes, you were made by God for a purpose! This is the vital discovery of the first quarter of life: You must get to know God and find his will (calling, vocation, trajectory) for your life.

Another Scripture helped point the way for me during the first quarter of my life. Jeremiah 29:11-14: "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart."

I and many others have found God to be true. When we diligently want to know God's plan for our lives, he is faithful to reveal and empower it.

If you are young, this is your first assignment in the game of life. You were made by God for a reason. He gave you talents, aptitudes, and dreams that he wants to fulfill. Make sure you don't miss this vital step. Don't just go with the flow. You need to know who's in charge of the river and where he wants you to paddle your canoe.

He promises to guide you if you ask.

Especially for Middle Age Folks  (25 to 50?)

If the first quarter of life is the season of discovery, then the second period should be filled with many exploits and accomplishments. You've determined that God wants you to be a teacher, scientist, mother, mechanic, or computer programmer. He leads you to plant yourself somewhere--maybe to move around for a period of time as the calling develops--get married, have kids, and live life full tilt. These are the years of your greatest strength and excitement living out what you were born and trained to pursue.

I spent my middle years immersed in God's missionary vision. His calling took me to sixty nations around the world, led me to pioneer a number of missions works, and produced a number of projects and movements that brought people to Christ and advanced God's kingdom. These were exciting years of doing what I'd been born to do.

Sure there were challenges and detours along the way. Even sins. Life is not a bed of roses. But in God's forgiveness and strength I pressed on toward the mark. I know many others who did the same--in the realms of education, government service, business ventures--everything you could imagine. Along the way, many of us got married, had children, and tried to raise them up in the way they should go.

If you are in these middle years, it is important to go for it! Zeal and strength are a wonderful part of this time in your lives. As you grow in knowledge and maturity, many doors will open for you to share Christ, bless others, make a contribution to society, and live a fulfilled life. Don't burn out--but don't miss the opportunities God gives. Some of you will impact nations. All of us will many a difference in people's lives.

You will play some of your "best ball" in the second quarter of your life. You'll also make many adjustments that will allow you to press on to victory in the latter stages. You have discovered your gifts and God's plan and you're doing your best to fulfill it. The second quarter of life is full and busy--but also very rewarding.

Especially for Those Fifty and Above.

The third quarter of your life is a time to multiply all that God has shown you. You are training your children and releasing them into God's calling on their lives. Your focus has shifted from "what I am to do" to "how I can disciple others." As you grow older, you become more aware that life is short--and that for the remainder of the time that you have left, you need to work smarter and wiser.

This means concentrating on training and inspiring others so that what God has given you can be multiplied more broadly. You take on some mentoring assignments; you teach others with the life experience and knowledge that God has given you; you are aware of some "apprentices" in your life and are thrilled to make an investment in their growth.

The third quarter is a very satisfying stage--less self-centered and amazingly more productive. You were good at what you personally did for God's glory. But you are even greater in figuring out ways to pass it on to others. God's kingdom is never about simple addition. He is the great multiplier of good and life-changing seed.

John was a good businessman who lived a fruitful life in his middle years. He raised a good family and blessed many people through the products that he made with integrity. But in his fifties, John yearned to multiply his heart and life in larger dimensions. He started a web-site that in a matter of years was reaching millions.

John is a multiplier of his talents and calling. And he is not letting up in the game of life.

Especially for Those Nearing the End

The fourth quarter of our lives can be the hardest--but also the greatest. Our strength begins to fail, our limitations begin to show, and we realize the eternity is getting closer and closer. Sometimes failing health can be a hindrance and overwhelming concern.

But God will give us the grace to finish strong. He who began the race in us will carry it to completion. This is the season to leave behind a legacy. How will we be remembered? Have we made preparations for those coming after us?

I'm inspired by how Dr. Bill Bright ended his earthly life. His final years were filled with tying us lose ends, readying his organization to carry on, finishing personal projects. Bottom line: He wanted to inspire others to follow by ending well. The continuing global influence of Campus Crusade for Christ is indicative that he left a great legacy for others.

I want to do the same. The fourth quarter of life is the time to cross the finish line and motivate those behind you to follow your example. You've fought the good fight. You've finished the race. Well done, good and faithful servant. Your true reward will be an eternal one.

Jesus our Example

Some of us may not live long lives. Jesus shared that fate. But none-the-less, Christ lived his four quarters all the way to victory.

• At a young age he knew he was born to do His Father's will. He prepared for that assignment as a young man, fully committed to fulfilling his destiny.
• When ready he launched his ministry by healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the hungry, and preaching the Good News to the poor. His ministry was vigorous and focused. Thousands were impacted by his God-controlled life.
• During the second half of his ministry, he increasingly gave his time to imparting his life to his disciples--to others that would multiply the call. He trained, sent out, encouraged, and corrected them. He knew they were the key to the future.
• Finally he went through agonizing torture and betrayal in the final days of his life to accomplish his goal. But he didn't flinch and never gave up. He knew he was leaving a legacy called "The Church." Through their own pains and growth, they were destined to take his love to the ends of the earth.

Jesus is always our perfect model. Regardless of whether you live to be twenty eight like Keither Green or ninety-one like my father, pattern your life after your Lord and Master.

I don't know which quarter of life you are in. Whatever it is, and no matter how much time God gives you, use it wisely to glorify him.

Play all four quarters of the life God has given you.

That is the secret of victorious living.