It was my hope that the Houston Astros would make it to the World Series and then win it all. Sadly, that didn’t happen. I am here writing a Sabbath Thought to reflect on that outcome.
Although the Houston baseball team did not win, the sun rose and it appears to be a clear, cool day ahead. In other words, life goes on. There will be more sporting events ahead and sometimes my team will win and sometimes lose. But win or lose life goes on.
From a human perspective I’m disappointed. But to take it too seriously indicates a lack of spiritual maturity. I know this because in the past when my favorite team would lose, I was so emotionally invested that it would take some time to get past the loss. Some losses are clearly etched in my mind because of the self-induced trauma of the loss.
What does God think about the Astros loss? I don’t think He cares overmuch. It’s not that God does not enjoy a good game, but God always has the big picture in mind.
The picture God always has in mind is expressed in Hebrews 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” God never deviates from this goal. Is it our goal as well?
It is the goal that was moved forward by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, coming in the flesh and dying for the sins of all mankind. Additionally, it is moved forward every day by Jesus Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”)
As human beings we can focus on the temporary (work, games and entertainment) of all kinds. The temporary is unavoidable in this life, but does the temporary we choose to be involved in contribute to that which will become permanent in our lives? We clearly have to make wise choice to pursue eternal life. There is nothing more permanent than eternity.
Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The Father has the same quality. And it is God’s purpose that we will become like God and Jesus Christ, “the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” God is seeking to establish in those He has called permanence. In other words, He is seeking to establish holy, righteous character in our lives. Character that will always meditate on that which right, good and permanent, will always speak in a way that is permanent and will always act in a way that is permanent.
The World Series is over and we move on to one championship event after another. We can root for our team, but we need to realize that sports and so many other things are temporary. We must never forget that the temporary in whatever form it comes can be a snare to us.
God is well aware of how we can lose sight of what is really important and permanent. That is why He warns us about our priorities.
God points to what is really permanent when He instructs us to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath points to a coming Kingdom that will be permanent. It will be led by the one who is the same, yesterday, and forever.
Yes, the Astros losing may be disappointing. But what is truly important and permanent is the goal that we must all diligently pursue.
Have a good Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label World Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Series. Show all posts
Friday, November 1, 2019
Friday, November 3, 2017
Consider Where Our Minds Are Set
Last Wednesday night was a late night for many living in and around Houston. Why? Because the Astros were in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the 56th season of Major League Baseball in Houston, there’s no need for the Astros or their fans to shrug their shoulders, drop their heads and mutter, “Wait till next year.”
With the final out of the game, my wife and I jumped for joy over the victory. Being baseball fans, we have done the same in 1988 as the Dodgers beat the Oakland A’s on a Kirk Gibson home run, and in 1990 as the Cincinnati Reds topped the Oakland A’s.
We’ve also endured the crushing loss of the Texas Rangers (our favorite baseball team) to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 World Series. They had three chances to win it all and failed. It was agonizing for us. It is still a bad memory.
In the exhilaration of victory and the agony of defeat, what does it all mean in the greater scheme of things? In actuality, not much.
There will be another baseball season in 2018 and another World Series. Hopefully there will also be an Astros victory, but life, with all of its good and evil continues on.
For example, a large number of victims of the Hurricane Harvey flooding continue to struggle with getting their lives back in order. As stated in the previous paragraph, good and evil continue on relentlessly.
Baseball is entertainment and while it offers us the joy of a victory at times, we still have to get up, go to work, and deal with everyday life. Most importantly, as Christians, we must never allow entertainment or temporary things to divert us from the ultimate purpose for which we have been given life by our Creator.
Is watching a baseball game wrong in God’s sight? Watching the World Series is not a bad thing as long as we keep our priorities straight. Paul tells us what is important in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
The World Series is something that we can see in this visible world and it is temporary. We must keep this in mind as we go through life as Christians.
We realize that there are things that are of far greater value than a ball game. In fact, the things that really matter are eternal.
While the 2017 World Series clash between Houston and LA was quite the exciting drama, it is still something temporary and of far less value than eternity.
Where must we focus? “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
As we observe the Sabbath, we might consider where our minds are set.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
With the final out of the game, my wife and I jumped for joy over the victory. Being baseball fans, we have done the same in 1988 as the Dodgers beat the Oakland A’s on a Kirk Gibson home run, and in 1990 as the Cincinnati Reds topped the Oakland A’s.
We’ve also endured the crushing loss of the Texas Rangers (our favorite baseball team) to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 World Series. They had three chances to win it all and failed. It was agonizing for us. It is still a bad memory.
In the exhilaration of victory and the agony of defeat, what does it all mean in the greater scheme of things? In actuality, not much.
There will be another baseball season in 2018 and another World Series. Hopefully there will also be an Astros victory, but life, with all of its good and evil continues on.
For example, a large number of victims of the Hurricane Harvey flooding continue to struggle with getting their lives back in order. As stated in the previous paragraph, good and evil continue on relentlessly.
Baseball is entertainment and while it offers us the joy of a victory at times, we still have to get up, go to work, and deal with everyday life. Most importantly, as Christians, we must never allow entertainment or temporary things to divert us from the ultimate purpose for which we have been given life by our Creator.
Is watching a baseball game wrong in God’s sight? Watching the World Series is not a bad thing as long as we keep our priorities straight. Paul tells us what is important in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
The World Series is something that we can see in this visible world and it is temporary. We must keep this in mind as we go through life as Christians.
We realize that there are things that are of far greater value than a ball game. In fact, the things that really matter are eternal.
While the 2017 World Series clash between Houston and LA was quite the exciting drama, it is still something temporary and of far less value than eternity.
Where must we focus? “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
As we observe the Sabbath, we might consider where our minds are set.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
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