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Seeing Nike’s latest commercial all over college football this weekend got me thinking – Is winning really everything?

Sure, it’s nice to see ourselves ahead on the scoreboard. It feels good to get the win every now and then. And we should always strive to be the best at what we do.

But maybe winning isn’t everything.

If winning were everything, there would be no point to challenge ourselves. If winning were all that matters, we would simply treat our lives like an Oregon vs. Nicholls State game, taking on a cupcake opponent we know we will beat every time we hit the field.

If you’ve been beating the game on easy, it’s time to level up. It’s time to try something harder.

“I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me…They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen – for remember, they are rebels – at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.” (Ezekiel 2:3)

When God lays a task on your heart, you probably won’t feel prepared for what He has in store for you.

God called Ezekiel to be a prophet to the nation of Israel even though their threats surrounded him “like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions.” (Ezekiel 2:6)

God even acknowledged the Israelites would probably refuse to listen to Ezekiel’s message. But getting the Israelites to listen wasn’t the point.

The point was in Ezekiel being present. The point was the people would feel God’s presence among them, even if they refused to acknowledge it.

Doing God’s work doesn’t always turn out to be a slam dunk straight out of a Nike commercial. Not every conversation or action results in a conversion.

Living out your faith doesn’t always mean people will listen to you or like you or respect you. But you just do it anyway.

You trust in a God who strengthens you through every failure. You trust that each new challenge, no matter how daunting or difficult, is preparing you to do greater things for His kingdom.

If you can run one mile, try running two.

If you can beat the game on easy, try beating it on hard.

If you can be a Christian in private, try being one in public.

If you can talk about God at church, try talking about Him at work.

If you can have an attitude of praise and grace and humility on Sunday, try doing it on Monday.

Sometimes you won’t win.

Winning isn’t everything.

What’s the next level for you? What’s one challenging step you can today towards truly living in faith?