Did you ever have to halve something with a sibling? Which “half” did you want? I don’t remember who came up with the rule, but it is a good one. One person “halves” and the other person picks. That certainly has a way to keep the “halver” honest.
When I was a pastor, I got a lot of grief from church members about the length of the sermon when the Dallas Cowboys had a noon kickoff. Some of them would even mention it on the way out the door: “You do know the Cowboys started at noon, right? I’m missing the first half.” My answer: “The first half is not what matters most; it is the second half that determines the outcome.” My philosophy was often reaffirmed by those who were late to the evening service if the game was at 3:00. It’s tough being a pastor during football season.
I think that is true in life—not the pastor during football season part—the perspective that the second half determines the outcome. It is not that the first half doesn’t matter. I just have passed enough mile markers to believe the second half is better.
I passed another one on September 13. That was the day that I had been a father for half my life. Favorite daughter was born May 5, 1988. Favorite son followed on December 10, 1990. On September 14, 2014 I recorded: “Days I lived before becoming a father: 9628. Days I have lived since becoming a father: 9629. Thanks, kids, for the best (now more than) half of my life. Thanks, Mrs. Sweetie, for being my best friend and partner in this journey.”
Speaking of Mrs. Sweetie, I celebrated being married to her for half my life back in January, 2007. Half my life in full-time ministry was passed in July, 2013. I don’t know yet if I have lived half my life, but since doubling my current age has me knocking on the door of 106, there’s a good chance I’ve passed that one, too.
I downloaded an iPhone app awhile back that has helped me keep up with some of these dates (the one I use is D-Day). I didn’t have it in 2007 when I used pencil and paper to figure out half a lifetime of marriage. I’m not sure what the next mile marker will be, but I do know this: The second half is when it really gets good!
Ecclesiastes 7:10 (New Living Translation) says, “Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (The Message) says, “Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”
The second half has kicked off and we’ve got the ball. Let’s march it down the field. It’s time to show what we’re made of.
Question: What “second half” are you most conscious of?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
