It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
“It ain’t over till it’s over.”
That famous phrase can be used in almost any form of competition, from the World Series to a Scrabble tournament, from a heavyweight fight to the final scene of a drama. The thrill of the odds-defying comeback story has probably enchanted everyone at some time.
But I want to talk about something even more significant than a story line or the encouragement of a coach or a Yogi Berra quote. I’m talking about dreams that have died. About promises that have not yet visibly produced and ideas and thoughts you had that now seem impossible. I’m talking about the healthy relationships you desired or the realization you aspired to.
Think about the things that have been buried deep inside you: the promises, giftings, callings, and abilities; the words of hope and love you once longed to feel. You may have even forgotten them. Maybe you’ve just given up. You don’t want to be disappointed again, so it’s easier just not to hope.
But it ain’t over till it’s over.
Let me tell you about a woman named Rahab who lived in the city of Jericho. She was not the local success story; in fact, she was a harlot. There were probably other things she would have preferred to do for a living, but for whatever reasons she was stuck being who she had become. Maybe she had longed to be a respected woman. But now she was trapped in Jericho, a city doomed for destruction.
The Israelites were marching toward her home. She knew the power of the God of the Israel: His mighty acts of protection and provision and how He had delivered opposing armies into their hands. It must have been an awful feeling. The thought, “my life is a wreck and now all hope is gone,” must have crossed her mind at some point.
It seemed like the end of the book. To Rahab’s joy, it was really the beginning of a new chapter: God gave Rahab and her family another chance. That’s exactly what God wants do for anyone who has dreamed and whose dream has died. Things may seem to be getting worse and worse, just like Rahab’s situation in Jericho. Everything she had known and everything she was used to was crumbling around her. But through this shake-up, God was making a way for her to escape the dream-killing, aspiration-quenching place she had been stuck in.
What seems like shaking and up-heaving and un-surety might just be God liberating you to believe again. Maybe the hopelessness around you is God tearing down the walls that have confine you. Let Him breathe life into dreams the giver of all good gifts has given you. Hope again, believe again, trust God again. And remember . . . it ain’t over till it’s over, baby!
Has God restored some dreams in your life? Or are you in the middle of a shakedown? Visit the comments section for this article and remind someone that it’s not over yet!
I myself can identify with the scenario of Rehab’s hopelessness that she most likely did feel at some point; I’ve been going through a shakedown that seems like it would never end.
But through this process God has been teaching me to take His hand and trust in Him no matter what seems to be happening to the city.
He will bring us through no matter what!
Funny how when our life falls apart, sometimes it turns out that it needs to because our own surroundings were holding us back.
It’s like when a prince becomes a king: he can no longer enjoy the princely palace or the honors associated with the son of a king. He must move on and leave behind even the good things in life so that he can seize on something greater. Something kingly.
People who can think like you have recommended are far ahead of the game. When they see God as the one above and in charge of everything, they can run their life, rather being run by life.
Your insights and comments are no doubt helping others, even if they don’t give you any feedback. Keep up the good work!