FOOD FOR THOUGHT
(04/19/2009)
THE
ONE HAS WON
Cindy Hong
I
was in Chicago a few weeks ago for a seminar sponsored by InterVarsity
Press. I couldn't resist flying up a couple of days early to hang out
with family and squeeze in some extra fun. The two converged nicely when
one aunt “just happened” to hold season tickets to the Chicago Bulls
and they “just happened” to be playing at home that week. So Tuesday
evening found me at the United Center , where memories and memorabilia
of Michael Jordan and other players during their heyday in the 1990s litter
the arena. But this season, they sometimes play more like adolescent
cows limping along, hovering at the .500 mark. So as I sat watching
Chicago play Detroit (they eventually eked out a victory), it seemed as
if the memory of Michael Jordan was screaming for a repeat of those glory
days. And there seemed to be a tacit understanding, that past and present
were to come together to cheer this season's team to victory, and a spot
in the playoffs. But it was a reminder of the great cloud of witnesses
that surround us, spectators and fans cheering us on as we follow Jesus
and play our hearts out for Him. But unlike the game of basketball, our
sole concern isn't about performance or results, profit or fame, but that
we would run with perseverance and with our eyes fixed on Jesus. No matter
how bad the Bulls do this season, the memory of Michael Jordan is always
with them. And no matter our track record in life, any mistakes or hardships,
pain or suffering, God is always with us. We follow in the footsteps of
Jesus, who endured the opposition and the cross; so we can do likewise,
without growing weary and losing heart (Hebrews 12:1-3). And because our
God is greater than Michael Jordan, He will restore us to days greater
than the six championships in the 1990s. We already have the kingdom of
God among us and the King of Kings with us. How incredibull is that?
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