Timing Can Make

TIMING CAN MAKE the difference in any sport. In the 1998 World Cup, Lilian Thuram’s feet spoke at a most opportune time.

The 26-year-old native of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies moved to Paris at age nine with his mother. Discovered at age 18 while playing for a local club, the defender signed with the French champion soccer team, AS Monaco, and represented his adopted country on the World Cup team.

The French squad advanced through the tournament’s early rounds and faced Croatia in the semifinals. Confined primarily to a defensive role, Thuram had not tallied a single goal for the national team in 37 previous games.

But with Croatia leading 1–0 early in the second half, the player (who had once considered becoming a priest) stole the ball from Zvonimir Boban. Playing give-and-go with teammate Youri Djorkaeff, he blasted the ball past Croatian goalkeeper Drazen Ladic from close range to tie the score.

As the second half drew toward the midpoint, Thuram replied again in a timely manner. Moving forward from his defensive position, he robbed Robert Jarni of the ball, looked up, spotted an opening, and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the net from 20 yards away.

Despite losing captain Laurent Blanc because of a foul four minutes later, the ten-man French team held on for a 2–1 victory and the right to face Brazil in the finals. With 77,000 French fans screaming madly throughout the Stade de France, Thuram exited the arena on the shoulders of reserve goalie Bernard Lama as hundreds of photographers snapped the unexpected hero’s picture.

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POINT Lilian Thuram picked the perfect moment to come through for his team! Thuram discovered that timing meant everything as the French experienced the joy of moving into the World Cup finals.

In life, timing often means everything too. The writer of Proverbs understood the joy of offering an appropriate comment at the right moment. But he also knew the value of receiving a good word just when it’s needed most. God wants us to help others with fitting replies and good words.

GOAL! Sometime during the day, offer a positive word to a person who needs to hear a good message. Thank God for his good words in the Bible.