We Are The Champions–And I’m Not Just Talking Basketball
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| University of Arizona Wildcats fly into the Sweet Sixteen |
March Madness has spread throughout our home. In case you do not have a houseful of men or boys, I’ll explain a little bit about this disease. (Now, don’t click away from this article, yet. I really am going someplace spiritual with this topic, so stay with me.)
The madness (sort of like mad cow disease with its snorting, outbursts, angry pumping of fists and yelling at TV referees who can’t hear you) starts out with a simple loyalty to usually your hometown collegiate basketball team or former hometown team sometime in early December. The sports enthusiast follows the team for several months through wins and losses developing an attachment bug. But the disease is not full blown until March when 68 basketball teams from across the country enter a Mad playoff tournament in hopes of being declared the Number 1 team in the USA. The winner over all other teams.
Followers of these teams become delirious as their heroes slam dunk their way to the next level of this contest. However, if the beloved team falters, trips, misses its baskets, and fouls its way out of the tournament, the loyal fan suffers depression.
How does this crazy tournament relate to our spiritual condition?
For starters, we are all winners–champions–when we have been saved by Christ. He delivers us out of the kingdom of darkness (where those who are lost dwell) into the Kingdom of Light (the place where those who have won the race dwell).
Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (NIV)
If you have watched any of those basketball players race across the court, you know they are scrambling, sweat dripping, to get the prize. Our race for the prize of the high calling in Christ has already been won for us by Christ’s blood but we must endure and remain steadfast in the faith as Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 to hold onto that prize, that crown that Christ has won for us.
Our opponents are not dressed in the latest style of sports shorts, jerseys and shoes. They are our own fleshly lusts (as Dr. Vernon Magee explains in his commentaries) and the temptations of the world and the devil.
While the basketball players endure hours of gym workouts, lifting weights, running, doing bench presses and then run drills and practice shooting, Paul sacrifices his body in a different way:
“…I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV
Some teams falter, lose steam, forget the game plan, or cannot outplay their opponents. If that happens, they do not advance to the next round of the tournament.
We must be on our guard to keep fighting our opponents right til the end so that we may wear the crown Christ has won for us.
Paul says,”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8 NIV
“And we’ll keep on fighting til the end, my friend,” so go the lyrics to the popular song by Queen. “We are the Champions….of the World.”
Keep on fighting!
Giving thanks this week to the Lord
501) the prize the Lord has won for me–life eternal with Him
502) cheering for the underdog, the University of Arizona Wildcats
503) the Wildcats winning today’s game by the skin of their teeth (I asked the Lord if He really cared who would win, and if I should really pray for such a trivial matter–I left it in His hands)
504) evening prayer with the family
505) my young men still home for a little while
506) Spring Break! a time to refresh myself, clean the house, and visit with friends
507) my second grader increasing his ability to read–ecstatic
508) all of my family and friends who have supported me in the writing of this blog: Patcee,Cecelia, Julie, Karen, Linda, Sharon Kirby and Jennifer Janes
509) phone calls from friends
510) learning how to lead the “Simple” life and to Slow Down
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Oh, my goodness (smile). You’ve described the illness perfectly. That’s what it looks like around here! I especially like the mad cow comparison. Being the only female in the house surely is a drawback this time of year :). But it is fun to see such passion. Yes! Keep up the good fight :).
I am a crazy, snorting, yelling at referees MARCH MADNESS fanatic!!! Oh yes I am! My oldest son and I have our own “pool” that we do – I’ve been beating him soundly the last few years.
Begrudgingly, I give your team kudos – don’t even begin to ask me about my stupid UCLA Bruins…GRRR.
Great spiritual lesson here, Janis – I really liked it a lot. I also want to play well, and claim the victory Christ has given me. And so, I’m asking God for the strength to keep pressing on…
By the way, #508 – thank you very, very much. I feel the same way about you, too. I am blessed by your friendship and support.
GOD BLESS!
Laura~It’s so great to have a another female in the same situation with all males around. Glad you liked the mad cow disease comparison. Couldn’t resist it.
Sharon~you are too funny! My guys are always telling me to “calm down, Mom” when I yell at the refs. You are hilarious! I love it.
Thanks for giving my team kudos. We’re running out tomorrow to buy “Sweet Sixteen Shirts.”
Although, our chances against Duke are pretty slim.
And just to let you know~when UCLA is not playing Arizona, we still root for them. After all, we are from Southern Cal.
Thanks for making my day!
Blessings to you all,
Janis
Your analogy is so good – and I’m not just saying it because I’m a man. I’m a man with a race to run right now – and I’m not exactly college aged 🙂 – so this hit me, “We must be on our guard to keep fighting our opponents right til the end so that we may wear the crown Christ has won for us.” Late in the game is where so many of these tourney games are decided. I want to finish strong. And my favorite from your list is this one: 508) all of my family and friends who have supported me in the writing of this blog: – first – because of their support – second because you were nice enough to thank them. {smile}
This was good. Really, this was good for me to read. Thank you.
God bless and keep you and all of yours this day.
Such a great post and great analogy here. I love those verses and the cheering encouragment they are to keep running and finish the race well. Thank you for the reminder and the push not to quit today. I could hear the cheers in the stands!!!!! Great list of gratitudes, too!
The simple life! I loved that one best! Thanks for a great post here. I go away blessed and all hiped up!
Craig~I’m quite complimented having a guy think my post on March Madness hits the target. You’re right about the teams in the tournament losing it right at the end. What a good point to remind us to never let up!
Cora~Adding the cheers from the crowds really puts life into this analogy. It’s inspiring to see how the Holy Spirit reveals something a little different or with a new angle to each person. He truly meets each of our needs, individually.
Lisa~So excited to have you following my blog here. You, too, have a household of males! What a kick! I’ve learned to love “Sports Central” in our home–and even miss it (sometimes) if all the guys are gone. Basketball is my favorite. I usually just pop in and out of the family room for the rest of the sports.
I will be praying for you~I understand your health has been more troublesome lately.
I am having a wonderful week of vacation.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
I just signed up to be a follower! I keep missing your posts on FB so I am going to sign up on email. I will take the time to peruse through some of you past blogs. I love this particular post since MARCH MADNESS has taken over our home. I live with all males as well so I am right in the middle of the intensity that goes on here when the games are playing! Your analogy is wonderful and such an encouraging reminder to keep fighting to the end and the reward awaiting us! I have been so longing for His appearing of late! Hope you are having a blessed week of vacation Janis!