Even if you don’t follow sports, you would pretty much have to have your head in the sand (or live in a part of the world that does not play baseball) to not notice that the World Series of Baseball is underway.
I admit, I am a fair weather fan. I rarely watch an entire regular season game of baseball any more. But when my team is in the post season I am there! Living near Boston, we up here have a special relationship to our sports teams.=} We are passionate people up here in New England. (We are created to worship and sports often tops the list of “objects of worship” in this culture.) Forget the Frozen Chosen or Reserved labels for New England. When it comes to professional sports in New England, especially football, baseball, hockey and Basketball the culture focuses in on the team in the playoffs. You don’t have to watch, but you see it everywhere and you feel it in the air.
I suspect it has to do with the fact that every one of us has a desire, unconscious or otherwise, to be a Champion. We are wired that way. We are all created in the image of God, and God sovereignly reigns over all creation. He is the ultimate Champion. He has created us to rule and to reign over His creation. Being a Champion is in our DNA.
Victorious sports teams hold the title of “Reigning Champions” for an entire year. Every member of the team has contributed to the championship, whether as a bat boy or as a star player and even the fans that make the sport possible. The team and all their fans hold their heads a little higher. There is a sense of ownership, accomplishment and legitimate pride that comes with being the best and being associated with the best.
So think about that for a moment….
Who is the best, at any and everything?
Our loving Creator! He has made us in His image. We carry His DNA! We are His children and heirs. He is our Champion and we are far more than just His fans, associated with His “Champion-ness.” We are His chosen, cherished family, or team members to keep with the analogy.
Just as on a team, we all play our parts. We sacrifice for the sake of the victory. It is our calling and destiny. We train, we work, we serve, we cheer and encourage, we coach, we are full members in the victory regardless of the role we fill! And we will inherit! God has made us each Champions through of Christ. “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27) Abba sees us each as His treasured possession and because He is The Champion, we are Champions.
Each one of us is His favorite! There are no two alike. Only I can reflect the image of God in the way that I do. Only you can reflect the image of God the way you do. My uniqueness, the uniqueness of each one of us, plays a role in the victory and glory of the “team.”
Let’s not focus on our failures, but lets focus on the author and perfector of our faith. The more we see our loving Creator, our Champion, the more our nature becomes like His nature. The more we become like Him, the more we walk in the fullness of our faith and destiny, as True Champions. Hold your heads high my friends! We are on the winning “team.” Regardless of that the opponent says, the truth is that we are all Champions!
Never forget, regardless of the circumstances, be it a bad play, a bad few innings, or even a lost game or few, we are members of the winning team and we need to remember and choose to walk as the Champions we are!
Take a moment to consider how you are part of the “Championship Team.” I’d love to hear what you have noticed!
