Today Is a Verb: Open the Gift of NowExemplo

Only Believe

It was a nail-biting, down-to-the-wire college basketball game. The small Christian university I attended was definitely the underdog, playing one of college basketball’s elite teams in the NCAA tournament.

As the clock ticked away, it looked like we would certainly lose. The university chaplain and his assistant were sitting in the stands cheering, yelling, and praying. When we were down by 10 points with only a few minutes to go, Brother Bob told his assistant, Larry, “Well, let’s go before the crowd leaves. We’re not going to win this game.”

Larry looked incredulously at his friend, mentor, and boss. His piercing blue eyes gazed straight into Brother Bob’s eyes, and he declared with youthful enthusiasm, “But, Bob, it’s more fun to believe!”

And so, they stayed until the end of this mismatched game, believing and cheering. Our small, midwestern university experienced a miracle that day as we won in overtime and became a proud member of the Elite Eight.

The song “Only Believe,” written by Paul Rader, is seared on my heart. It was popular in church when I was a teenager. Lyrics hold power; the words to this song have changed the way I process difficulties, impossibilities, and challenges.

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe.

• When someone I love turns their back on God, I sing this song to myself.
• When met with an unexpected bill in the mail, these lyrics jump into my heart.
• When faced with cancer, I sang this song in every doctor’s office.
• When a door slams shut in my face, I remind myself of this powerful melody.

Believing that all things in life will certainly “work together for good” may not be the easiest choice, but it is certainly the healthiest and the holiest choice a Christian can make. After all, we are not called doubters; we are known as believers. Believing is not just what we do; it is who we are; it is our very identity.

Meaningful Moment

Ask three people what they believe in. As you hear their answers, ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to share with them what you believe in.

Daily Declaration

“I declare that I believe in Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. I believe in God the Father and in His goodness and faithfulness. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.”