Davonte Jett-Reynolds heard the final lap bell during the men’s 5,000 meters at the 2023 NCAA Division 2 track championships and gave it all he had for the last 200 meters. He finished in third place—only one problem. The race wasn’t over. The electronic lap counter had skipped a lap, and the lap bell had sounded too soon. By the time Jett-Reynolds learned he had another lap, he was spent. He finally finished in eighteenth place. The NCAA refused to re-run the race. The confusion not only cost Jett-Reynolds a medal but kept his team from a second-place finish.

Daman Martin, Jett-Reynold’s coach, had this to say after the meet. “The one thing I told the boys at the end is life is sometimes not fair. But the true people that count the most are the people that know you the best and love you the most. Your teammates and your families, they know how hard you ran and what effort you gave….”[1]

Life is sometimes not fair. But the One person who loves you the most will give you everything you need.

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…

Even when life isn’t fair, God’s “divine power” will give us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Our strength and confidence come directly through his power, our knowledge of who he is, and how he protects and provides for his children.

Sooner or later, the props get knocked out from under each one of us. The hardships show up. Chaos comes. Confusion enters. But here’s what we find: When God is all you have, God is all you need.

Father, thank you for the promise to give me all I need. Thank you for the reminder that, at the end of the day, you are all I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/31/ncaa-acknowledges-error-at-ncaa-dii-track-and-field-championships/70274272007/