Be a Cheerleader

“Go. Fight. Win.” I can still hear myself yelling at the “boys” on the basketball court.  

Yeah, it’s hard to believe, but I was once a high school cheerleader. (That sounded like a confession).  A recent text message from our senior class president reminded me … it’s been fifty years. I can still yell, but my moves are slower and my jumps are much closer to the floor.  

When I think of cheerleaders now, I don’t think of young ladies in team uniforms yelling out mascot letters to a crowd of fans. I think of the men and women throughout the course of my life who, by their encouragement and affirmation, convinced me to stay in the game, to trust God and follow His leading, to obey His word regardless of the cost, regardless of the sacrifice. These are the cheerleaders we must have in our lives, and these are the cheerleaders we must be.  

Our son—he never reads my blog so it’s okay to write about him—is a medical doctor. A radiologist.  His dad and I were his cheerleaders for fifteen years. Four years for a BS. Two years for a MS. Four years for the MD. Four years of residency. One year of fellowship. We yelled, “Go. Fight. Win,” so long we went hoarse. But he did.

Ezra 6:14 tells us “… the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet…”  We all need Haggais in our life, those who will speak the words of God to us. But just as important, we need to be a Haggai to those who are growing weary in the fight. Don’t just stand on the sidelines, give a yell out. Cheer them on … until they win.