NCAA Tourney
Posted by James MacDonald on March 14, 2007 09:42 PM | Comments (10)My oldest son Luke calls it Christmas and descends into the basement never to be seen for 4 days. He has led worship every weekend since Labor Day, but he booked this one off two months ago. My second son Landon fondly recalls the year he chose George Washington because he liked the way it sounded and they won a big upset, and the year he went with the favorite every time and won the family pool. Kathy calls it crazy, Abby doesn't care too much, and I am totally absorbed by . . . you guessed it . . . March Madness!--the annual season ending college basketball tournament that pits the nation's best 64 teams in a playdown to the championship game in early April. Upsets, last minute buzzer beaters, crying cheerleaders, and regional winners cutting down the nets. It's all so exciting!
No wonder many sports enthusiasts consider it the greatest event in organized athletics. Here's a few thoughts on why it's so thrilling and what we might learn from that:
1) The players are unselfish and far more humble than professional athletes who often put their own ego needs ahead of the team.
2) The players are in the game for team pride and the pure joy of competing they do not receive any financial incentive to compete.
3) The players have the unspoiled enthusiasm of youth. They each truly believe that they can beat the 'goliath' and go all the way.
4) Most of the players will never compete as professionals so they throw themselves at the objective with no thought for the future.
5) There are no seven games series or 82 game seasons. It's all on the line every time they take the court. They compete with total abandon because losing means going home.
I love March Madness and plan to watch a lot of games, but it's hard not to wonder what would happen if we lived for Christ the way the athletes play the NCAA Tourney.
1) What if we competed with total commitment to the team and zeroed our individual ego needs?
2) What if we ignored financial incentive and lived for the reward of pleasing Christ alone?
3) What if we faced and tackled the giants that tower over us with great faith in God, unspoiled by the failures of the past?
4) What if we lived this day as though it was our last?
5) What if we gave our all to Jesus today, not reserving energy for future battles or maintaining other priorities?
Colossians 3:23 says; "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
I'm gonna watch a few games in March Madness this year as I always do. I have my picks in with my friends and I'm gonna be cheering for Ohio State to go all the way. And as I do, I'm gonna be watching how the players play and reflecting on the quality of my own dedication to serving Jesus Christ! Go Buckeyes! Go James! :)
Comments
Posted by: Jon in Arizona | March 15, 2007 01:09 AM
Speaking of hoop..."THANK YOU CANADA FOR PRODUCING STEVE NASH!"
Go Suns!
Jon in Arizona
Posted by: earl | March 15, 2007 08:40 AM
Wow cool spiritual insights!
I can't help but think that the real reason you are so jazzed about this is that it brings back old dreams of what might have been if you could jump and defend.
This is the irony of your choosing Ohio State - they can defend but they can't put the rock in the hole.
Pick another team.
Posted by: Josh Lough | March 15, 2007 09:31 AM
How sweet it is to know that you'll be rooting for the Buckeyes, James! I was born and raised in Ohio. I'm curious to know why you'll be rooting for them.
Posted by: Melissa | March 15, 2007 06:46 PM
How different the church would be and what a different we Christians could make if we only had that same enthusiasm & dedication! Thanks for the great thoughts...
Posted by: Brandt | March 16, 2007 06:32 AM
When I was in youth, I was one of those "artsy" types who wasn't into basketball - the sport that made everyone popular. Here was a beautiful sport turned into this trendy thing. Now I am becoming interested in it as a sport - and it's exactly for what you said - the challenge. The goal. It's the same with our worship, specifically music. Worship is not about impressing people. That's what rock bands are for (and there are some great ones - U2, Keane, etc.) Worship is about glorifying the Creator and going full blast to make His name magnified. What an exciting journey! Great post.
Posted by: Brandt | March 16, 2007 05:15 PM
Pastor James:
Forgot to mention - I'm finishing up at Heritage and just started working part-time for Christian Horizons (a home for mentally challenged people). One of the resident's favourite radio shows is "Walk in the Word". Dave knows the Walk in the Word jingle and it's one of his favourites he likes to sing. :)
Posted by: John from Oakville | March 17, 2007 10:37 AM
at first I was kind of, sheesh James, your spoiling the fun of beating you in the pool again this year, but I have to admit....these guys are sold out for college hoops and when was the last time i took a header into the crowd to save the ball for the Lord, nice!
j
ps....I took the Hoyas over your Buckeyes
Posted by: Rob G | March 17, 2007 07:28 PM
How can you claim to be an Ohio St. fan?
You didn't attend; nor did you ever live in the state of Ohio.
According to the rules of "fans", you are not legally allowed to cheer for the Buckeyes.
You can only be a fan of the following teams:
1)A college team where you attended the college
2)A college team your where your father (and possibly grandfather) attended
or in the case that neither previous requirements are available, you then can cheer for:
A team in which you lived near by. (i.e. Illinois)
Respectfully the Collegiate Fan Association.
Posted by: Sherry Sharp | March 18, 2007 10:32 PM
Pastor - I'm not into March Madness, but I can appreciate your fervor. I also appreciate you, your genuineness, and your love for the Lord.
I listen to you on two stations, KTLW, Lancaster, CA, and KKLA, Los Angeles. You make the Word of God come alive in a very harsh and broken world. I even use some of your sayings. I'm currently using, "Get gripped by God" to all my church family. We tend to be a little staid in the Methodist Church, but the Spirit is moving in our church. People are truly getting "gripped by God." I’m so excited!
Keep on for the Lord, Pastor. When I'm flush again (currently unemployed), I will be sending a donation, for I know the cost of putting all this out.
Sherry
Posted by: Luke Buckeye | March 19, 2007 10:02 AM
Great comments. My nine year old and I discuss the passion we have for March Madness, is it the same for Christ? I pray we both espouse and serve Christ with the same passion shown in our living room as we cheer on the Buckeyes.