Diego Maradona – finishing poorly

Diego Maradona one of the greatest athletes of this century passed away last week, aged 60. He was the winner of the 1986 FIFA World cup in Mexico, played in 4 FIFA World cups. Had an incredible way with the ball, unrivalled on the planet. But he suffered for years with cocaine abuse and destroyed his own body. What a sad ending to an incredible man. That’s why Jesus said, what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.

Solomon was King in Jerusalem in 970-930 B.C. The great Temple in Jerusalem was built during his time. He had wealth and riches and married many beautiful women and had the kingdom at his feet. Mind you, he was also very wise, and wrote 3 books of the Bible. Even Jesus said that Solomon was one of the wisest men. Despite such stardom, he ended poorly because he did not follow the Lord whole-heartedly.

In contrast David served Christ whole-heartedly. Jesus was the One Love of his Life. Nothing was more important to him than to Read his Bible daily, hear from the Holy Spirit and do what the Lord wanted him to do. The entire system of Psalms, Spiritual songs and Music in Church today owes itself to David. The Kingdom of God which Christ will bring when He will return to the earth found its first realisation in the reign of David. He served his generation in the will of God. What a fulfilling life! To put it in real context, he was the king of a really small nation, whose population is less than that of Bangalore today. Yet what he did affected eternity. One line from a Psalm, can give life to a nation today, because the life of Christ was in him. Does Christ live in you in the same way?

Secondly what exactly is the will of God for your life? It is much more than raising families and working in offices. No doubt that is a very important part of our lives. But some of us are called to be Intercessors, Teachers of the Word, Music teachers etc, some are called to start new businesses, some are called to get involved in local governance, care for the trees and street dogs perhaps. Today, I truly want you to look beyond the immediate circle of your family as you go about seeking the will of God. We are called to serve an entire generation.

Isaiah tells us that we are called to rebuild cities and nations, basically rebuild lives in Christ.

Finally, Finishing well is very important. You may have begun a life full of zeal for Jesus, but the cares of the office and the burdens of the family, may have taken your toll. In the words of Paul, Christian life is like a running race, it’s your race, at your own pace and your own course. Just focus on it one day at a time. The most important thing is your daily time with Jesus, and doing what he tells you to do.

Jesus will help you finish your race, one day at a time.

As your days, so shall your strength be. Deut 33:25