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Influenced by Past Memories

Sir Everton Weekes, the legendary West Indian cricketer, stands out as one of the finest sportsmen to come out of the Caribbean. During a glittering career, Everton Weekes played in 48 Internationals and scored 4,455 runs as a batsman, at an average of 58.61. His average places him at number 10 on the all-time International Test averages in cricket history.

One strange statistic of his prolific skill, however, is that Sir Everton Weekes scored only one hit for “six” runs in his entire career. (A “six” is when a batsman hits the ball to clear the boundary rope without it bouncing inside the playing area).

When asked once about this strange statistic, Everton Weekes hinted that it was probably reflective of the time when as a child, he would play street cricket in the neighborhood with friends. He said, “If you hit the ball in the air and broke someone's window, you weren't getting that ball back, so we had to keep it on the ground.”

Possible Preaching Angle:

Although in Sir Everton Weekes' case it never had a negative effect on career, sadly, many people allow past memories to hold them back from bringing out the best in them. If you are one of them, may Paul’s words encourage you. He said, “... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

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