Occasionally even good teams will play to not lose rather than playing to win. The telltale signs are subtle. It may be noticed in the tenseness on the players’ faces, the tentativeness with which they play their positions or the slumping posture of key members. Confidence is reinforced with many successful repetitions but can be smashed with one bad pitch or failed catch.
Israel’s troops, King Saul and David’s brothers played hypothetical war games, asking each other, "What would happen to us if we took on Goliath?" They were approaching war with a "How do we not lose?" attitude. David boldly said, "Let’s see what God will do!"
The ten who spied out the Promise Land with Joshua and Caleb concluded that a thorough beating was inevitable should anyone dare to do battle with the people living there. Joshua and Caleb’s shoulders still were unbent, their gait was sure, and their eyes clear as they went into battles at Jericho, Ai and beyond.
Like numberless men and women before him, Daniel dared to defy the king who captured and held him as a prisoner of war. The hero of faith surely knew what the consequences would be if he lost weight or became sick while refusing the king’s smorgasbord. Those who play not to lose lose their competitive edge, and slouch their way toward the ordinary.
My friend and mentor, Owen Carr, once arrested me with a question. I had an opportunity before me and was beginning to amble about slouch shouldered and beaten. Brother Carr asked, "What keeps you from pursuing your dream?" I shrugged, "We can’t afford it." Brother Carr’s response was life changing. "If God wants it done, He can afford it!" Once I learned to ask the right question, the answers allowed me to play to win!
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