As a young person I was an amateur boxer and enjoyed watching the sport as well. I remember watching one of the older fighters from our gym in his bout. He was highly skilled and in the third and final round was far ahead on points. However with less then 30 seconds to go he was knocked out by a punch that hit him square on the jaw. The fight was lost.  How did this happen??  Probably with a lapse in concentration and relaxing of his defence.

I was right at ringside and that event has stayed with me for many years since. It's lesson, it's warning, was vivid.  Don't assume that a good start guarentees a good ending.

This sobering thought has become a significant part of my Autumn season awareness.  Scripture records a number of experienced Pilgrims who, near the end of their pilgrimage/boxing bout, let their defences down and did not finish well.

Moses lost the honour of leading his people into the land through a faithless behaviour that occurred when a seasoned veteran.

King David, with anointing and victories from his youth, finished his course dealing with the fall-out from his misdeeds in his maturity.

King Solomon, with remarkable blessing on his life from the beginning, finished with a wealthy Kingdom and empty soul. 

King Asa, was renowned for the hand of God on him, and the land he ruled saw years of peace and expansion. Yet in his latter years lost the sensitivity to the Spirit that brought these blessings and finished life angry and spiritually barren.

So the sad list could go on.

This is not to discourage us but to provide a timely warning.

Something which my boxing collegue wished he had heeded after his trainer told him before that last round, "The fight's not over, keep your guard up until the final bell".

That being said there is another sporting example that provides the opposite.

New Zealand Olympic champion runner Peter Snell dominated world middle distance running during the 1960's with a finish no-one could match. As the last lap unfolded Snell would produce a powerful sprint that brought him to the winners podium time and again.

That is a picture that has filled my mind often regarding the Autumn Season, wanting to finish like that, although the reality is often more like battling through until the final bell.

Running or boxing in the Autumn Season we are to be encouraged, we have the best Coach in the world. 

He is right beside, has trained us well, and always has the grace and counsel that will bring us home well.

Jude 24, 25

Amazing grace!!