Coaching from the Sidelines

In Cincinnati, more than a century ago, an artist who was also a chess expert painted a picture of Satan apparently checkmating a hopeless-looking young man, Of the hundreds of chess players that viewed the painting, only one detected a possible loophole strategy on the painted chessboard that could leave Satan defeated. He convinced the aging chess champion, Paul Morphy of New Orleans, to come to Cincinnati and study the painting. Within a half hour of conjectured planning, Morphy devised a combination chess move that would have defeated the devil in the painting.

"Snatching victory from the mouth of defeat" was an experience of Jesus' disciples, when after a grueling night of drawing up empty nets, they felt hopelessly defeated -- until Jesus shouted from the shore, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat." Following this simple suggestion, they caught so many fish, they couldn't haul their nets aboard! (see John 21:6). Their apparent defeat exploded into victory, and the difference was only a boat width --from port to starboard! With Jesus' guidance, success is often right at our fingertips!

When we feel exhausted and defeated by the enemy, victory may be very close, be it a healing, a solution to a problem, or an answer to prayer. Heeding Jesus' loving guidance from the sideline enables us to snatch victory from the mouth of defeat, for "we are more than conquerors through him who love us" (Rom 8:37).

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net