Don’t Miss the Victory Celebration

I confess. I am one of those who thought about leaving with about three minutes left in the Alabama–Arkansas football game Saturday, Sept. 15. The Crimson Tide trailed by four points, and the Razorbacks had just made a first down. It did not look good. 
  
But hope would not let me leave. With two time-outs, it was possible Alabama could get the ball back with about a minute and a half left on the clock. And miracles do happen, don’t they?
  
By now, every football fan in the state knows the outcome of that game, which ESPN labeled an “instant classic.” A completed pass in the end zone gave Alabama a come-from-behind victory with only eight seconds remaining on the clock. 
  
The victory celebration was electric — wild cheering, clapping and high fives across the stadium. People did not want to leave. I’m certainly glad I stayed. Now I can say I was there. I saw the play. I experienced a moment Tide fans will long remember. 
  
And to think that I almost missed it. Memories of disappointing dramatic endings — like overtime loses to Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU in years past — almost caused me to give up during the recent game and head for the exits. Leaving early would at least get me ahead of the inevitable traffic jam after the game, I reasoned.
  
But what I would have missed had I left. I would be the one who would have to confess that I gave up hope and left, that I missed the dramatic victory, that I wasn’t around for the celebration. 
  
Such a confession would cause most people to shake their heads in disbelief. How could one spend that much money, go to that much trouble, stay almost to the end and miss the end of such a extraordinary game, they would ask.
  
Fast-forward a few hours. One is not standing in a football stadium but in a sanctuary. The Sunday morning worship service is almost over. It has been a good service. The special music touched your heart. You might have even clapped. At least you said a strong “amen” when it ended. 
  
Now the pastor’s sermon is nearing an end. It has been a good Bible-based sermon like you have come to expect. The pastor’s words provided new insight to the Scripture and new understandings of the Bible’s application to life. The pastor is speaking directly to those who are not members of the church and those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. 
  
Years of going to church have taught that the service is almost over. In a moment, the pastor will ask the congregation to stand for the invitational hymn. That is the time you can head for the exits. Most people won’t notice you leaving. If you do not go, you might get caught in the line shaking hands with the pastor after the service, and that could keep you from beating the crowd to the restaurant. 
  
“Let us stand and sing hymn number … ,” the pastor says. This is the moment. Some are moving. Do you go or do you stay?
  
In another part of the auditorium, a couple steps into the aisle and walks toward the front of the church. The couple has been visiting the church for several weeks and is now making a public decision to unite with the church.
  
A few moments later, a teenage boy shuffles toward the altar. This young man, a troubled young man, has been prayed for by other youth in the church since the last revival. His parents have been praying longer than that. This morning, he is headed toward the pastor to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Miracles still happen, don’t they? 
  
Rejoicing grips the congregation, perhaps not the raucous cheers of a football crowd but it is as heartfelt as any football victory ever was. A soul has been saved. A new family has been added to the church fellowship. The greeting line is long as the new family is officially welcomed. The young man is tear-stained from the tears of friends and family who have longed for this moment. What a service. People will be talking about this for weeks to come. 
  
And you. Did you see the miraculous victories God won in the waning moments of the service? Were you part of the victory celebration? Or did you make an early exit and miss the most exciting part? 
  
When people talk about the service, about the decisions, will you sheepishly keep quiet so no one will know you sneaked out or will you be able to declare “I was there when …” and share the good news of what God did?