The Winner

1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

Hoss is very short and very long. Wire-haired dachshunds tend to be that way. When he runs, his front end heads in a straight line, while his back end swerves off to the side with a mind of its own.

One of his greatest joys, however, is running with a pack of other canines all much taller and larger than he is. His little legs and long, low body seem to fly across the forest floor as he seeks to keep pace with them — which is, of course, impossible in a straight-away race. Hoss, however, does not let this deter him from the game. He simply outthinks his bigger, taller companions. He dekes across paths to come out ahead, or he runs under fallen trees or other obstacles around which they must detour. In the end, he often comes out the winner in the race. True to his breed, he can be seen laughing all the way over the finish line.

Oftentimes in life, I feel that I need to think and act a little more like Hoss when I encounter circumstances that seem impossible or overwhelming.

Through Christ, God has given us all we need to be overcomers. Our enemy, Satan, would have us think otherwise, however. Yet when Jesus sent out His disciples, He stated, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:19 NIV)

The power of the enemy can be displayed in many forms. It can wind its way into our lives as quietly and secretively as a snake gliding through the grass. It can sting us like a scorpion when we least expect it. It can seek to overcome us by inducing feelings of fear, uncertainty, insecurity, guilt, or discouragement. Yet God has assured us that we are more than overcomers. Christ's power within us is greater than the power of the prince of darkness. Through His Word, His Church, and the power of His Spirit, God has given us all the tools necessary to outwit the devil and his ways, as well as to bolster our courage, faith, and strength as overcomers.

Today, Hoss will go out and run with his much bigger, longer-legged friends, while we have the opportunity to go forth into the world to run with Christ as our friend. We have a much more powerful ally than anything the devil seeks to pit against us.

Though Hoss may not always win, he is always happy to cross the finish line. Christians, however, through Christ's power within us, do have the power to be winners every day, in spite of the course set before us. If that isn't something to grin about, I don't know what is!

Prayer: Father God, we thank You that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Encourage and remind us today of this great truth, that we might be winners every day in every way for Christ and His kingdom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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