Matthew 11:4-6
American sports are an enigma to me and yet I love them. For those of you who know me well, you know that basketball is that little number "2" in the O2 that makes up the oxygen that I breathe; mainly, of course, Kentucky basketball. And for those of you who own a tv, computer, or a loud-mouthed set of friends, you know that Kentucky just had one of the most historic seasons in the history of college basketball. Their season ended with a loss to Wisconsin, making their record 38-1, having won 38 straight games; no easy feat, to be clear.
But what does that mean for me? Well it means a lot. There's always a reason to be upset. We as humans excel at finding the depressing moments in our life and holding on to them for dear life. Even more so, we like to publicly show them around, hoping for attention and love; and that's not me being condemnatory. I do it too! But because of this historic basketball season for Big Blue Nation, I and my family were able to forget about stressers for 38 total nights. 38 nights this season, I got a little bit closer to my dad. 38 nights this season, I believe my mom was genuinely happy. 38 nights this season, Clare knew she could go to school and not have innocent teenagers berate her about how Kentucky lost. 38 nights this season, my brother called me saying, "Great game. Next," or at least a variant of it. 38 nights this season, I went to sleep with a smile on my face.
But here's the thing. It shouldn't have been 38 nights. It should have been every night. And even more it should be (present and active tense) every night. Because the second I find my happiness in a sporting event and not in Christ is the second I've lost sight of the point of the Gospel. Goodness, Jesus even said "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." What about a basketball game? It seems silly in comparison!
I believe this season for Kentucky was a perfect season because it taught me something I needed to learn.
There is always a reason to be upset. But there's an even larger reason to be joyful. Christ rose again, man. And that's just one of his many victories.
Put in Christ's "W" column:
- blind people who can see now
- lame people who can walk now
- people being healed of incurable diseases
- deaf people who can hear
- DEAD PEOPLE LIVING AGAIN
- the good news proclaimed to the poor
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That's a record to have. I learned a lot from the 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcat's men's basketball team. I learned that my joy should come from Christ. Tonight, after a crushing defeat and no title, I'm going to bed happy. Kentucky lost and Jesus won.
I guess the next question is: where is your happiness from?
