This past weekend the Chicago Cubs won the National League pennant for the first time in 71 years. Cubs fans cheered and partied all night long. If the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians, their fans will be ecstatic, since it will be their team’s first World Series title in 108 years.
Some might ask, “Does God care who wins?” Our secular winning-is-everything culture may infer that somehow God smiles on winners. A Pew Religion Research article reported that up to 60% of Americans believe athletes of faith are rewarded with better success than others. It’s probably based on the idea that God blesses the righteous with victory and leaves the less righteous wondering what they did wrong.
Winners and losers of wars and athletic contests may both pray, “Thank You, God, for being on our side.” I find myself happier if my team wins and a bit depressed after a big defeat. Rather silly, isn’t it?
Truth is, God has a history of allowing his people to lose so they can somehow win in the bigger arena of life. The life of Joseph (Genesis 37–50) comes to mind. The pharisees, too, thought they had won their battle with Jesus. But we know they did not.
Does God care who wins? It may surprise you, but I think the answer is yes. He does care, but not in the way we think, and surely not in the way implied in some post-game interviews.
Scriptures tell us God cares about everything that happens in the universe. His divine power is as concerned with the sub-atomic particle as with an entire solar system. He doesn’t have a junk-pile mentality that considers some people as waste material, like “unwanted” babies or non-productive athletes. The earth and its people were not made to be tossed out.
God’s concern extends far beyond our ideas of victory or defeat, success or failure. He cares who wins because games help us enjoy life. We may attach esteem or identity to scores, but God gives us a win simply because He loves us. God also cares because game outcomes can give us an opportunity to glorify Him.
He blesses winners and losers with another opportunity to thank Him for life and service to Him with our bodies and skills. He may even use the outcome of a game to allow non-Christian players to realize their need for their Savior Jesus.
Everything that happens can point us toward Jesus. He cares about our game scores so long as they contribute to His Lordship over us all. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!” (Psalm 126:3)
In Jesus Christ, we are all winners!
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
Some might ask, “Does God care who wins?” Our secular winning-is-everything culture may infer that somehow God smiles on winners. A Pew Religion Research article reported that up to 60% of Americans believe athletes of faith are rewarded with better success than others. It’s probably based on the idea that God blesses the righteous with victory and leaves the less righteous wondering what they did wrong.
Winners and losers of wars and athletic contests may both pray, “Thank You, God, for being on our side.” I find myself happier if my team wins and a bit depressed after a big defeat. Rather silly, isn’t it?
Truth is, God has a history of allowing his people to lose so they can somehow win in the bigger arena of life. The life of Joseph (Genesis 37–50) comes to mind. The pharisees, too, thought they had won their battle with Jesus. But we know they did not.
Does God care who wins? It may surprise you, but I think the answer is yes. He does care, but not in the way we think, and surely not in the way implied in some post-game interviews.
Scriptures tell us God cares about everything that happens in the universe. His divine power is as concerned with the sub-atomic particle as with an entire solar system. He doesn’t have a junk-pile mentality that considers some people as waste material, like “unwanted” babies or non-productive athletes. The earth and its people were not made to be tossed out.
God’s concern extends far beyond our ideas of victory or defeat, success or failure. He cares who wins because games help us enjoy life. We may attach esteem or identity to scores, but God gives us a win simply because He loves us. God also cares because game outcomes can give us an opportunity to glorify Him.
He blesses winners and losers with another opportunity to thank Him for life and service to Him with our bodies and skills. He may even use the outcome of a game to allow non-Christian players to realize their need for their Savior Jesus.
Everything that happens can point us toward Jesus. He cares about our game scores so long as they contribute to His Lordship over us all. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!” (Psalm 126:3)
In Jesus Christ, we are all winners!
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
No comments:
Post a Comment