When I tell people that years ago I used to be jock, they give me the
"yeah, right" look. But it is true, I used to play football, basketball,
baseball, and even set a record throwing the javelin in 9th grade, until I
learned it was more fun spending time with a cheerleader than listening to her
cheer for you, and then my ultimate downfall-motorcycles. But through my
sophomore year I could be found after school at the gym almost everyday.
Basketball was big where I grew up, and right down to our eighth grade
team, the high school coaches would attend the games to see how his future teams
were coming along. I was asked to play in 7th grade, I was tall, and we would
practice with the freshman, who would humiliate me, but I learned skills, and
even started some games when in 8th grade, a year early. But it was our 8th
grade team that the community was excited about, as we had the skills and the
desire to win, and we did. Far surpassing both freshman teams in town, we even
beat them in scrimmages. But the first two games of that season were learning
experiences for me. I was the starting center, I got to jump to start the game,
and we won the game handily, mostly without me. During the second quarter the
scorekeeper put down someone else's fouls under my number, and with the risk of
me fouling out, I sat-in case I was needed if the game got too close. It didn't
and I was robbed. Even complaining to the ref got me nowhere, being reminded the
rules are the rules kid. He later gained even further notoriety when he told
Vince, one of our guards, "hey kid, did you bring your hatchet today?" Vince
was an all out player, and got too aggressive sometimes, but we learned to not
like this guy. He had authority, power, and absolute control over us-even when
he was wrong, and could remedy the situation. But didn't. But for me my ego
took a beating, although we had won, they had done it without me.
The second game against Edison I had the flu, but played the entire game
anyway. We lost by two points, one of only two losses that year, and with me we
had lost, but without me we had won. Seems I was better sitting on the bench if
needed, then playing when I was needed. Tough lessons for a hormone enhanced 14
year old to absorb. In the it is all about me world, my world was crushed. But
only for a while, as I would set rebounding records in both the next two years,
and start many freshman games a year early. I one time scored the 100th point
against Maxson, the first time in history our school had. I was mobbed by the
crowd-but that never made up for the losses both of playing and of losing. We
finished the season 18-2, good in any league, and I was elected co-captain. But
it is funny how I remember the first two games the most, one winning without me,
and the other losing with me. And being faced with the finality of the
rules-somehow they over rode right and wrong. And they still do today.
Thankfully we are under grace.
There was a sadness to the finality of that season, even though the coaches
and us looked forward to next year. But this one was over, and baseball
awaited. Boring compared to basketball, no cheerleaders either. And I was
reminded this year of the finality of things, things that you and I have no
control over. And how our decisions and actions today will impact them. Seeing
my California cardiologist yesterday, he reminded me how bad I had been, calling
me a disaster. When really I am a miracle. God's miracle. I'm alive despite
what happened, breaking all the rules, and experiencing grace like no other. I
should be dead, but I'm not, and grow weary of hearing "it wasn't your time," as
though they had some inside track to knowing. I learned first hand how God has
everything under control, and no matter how someone dies, it is only when He
says so that we do. A certain love and grace in it that only He can provide
through His son Jesus Christ. A just and fair decision of when and where, and
being there to comfort those left behind. As I also experienced this year with
the death of my Dad. So I have seen both sides of death, having been close
myself, and closer with my Dad. Great memories of both, even my open heart
surgery, as God used me to perform a miracle, and has me around to testify of
it. Some other time my Dad's testimony, but God is fair till the end.
There was a sadness when the season ended, it was over. We could look
back, and even look ahead, but we were confronted with no more season-it was
over. An absolute that would be repeated many times in life. And we don't like
to face absolutes, for even in winning, the glory is over. The world will not
allow us to savor the victory, but takes us ahead to next year. Only in Christ
do we get to look ahead with assuredness of the victory. No next season, or
onto another sport-we gain heaven for eternity. When in my coma I was visited
by Jesus, He sat next to me and the peace was incredible-no words could describe
it. When I asked if I was dead, He told me "no, you are very much alive," and
if life in His presence is so wonderful, I really can't wait for heaven. I want
to go back to that place with Him, to be in His presence where only He matters,
but it will only be on God's timing. Impatience will have to be endured, but
how I live now looking forward as to what lies ahead.
Where is your hope today? The Chargers? Sorry football fans, their season
is over. Like the old Brooklyn Dodger chant, "wait until next year." But what
if Jesus tarries one more year, one more decade? Are you willing to be patient
with Him? Can you still live for tomorrow today?
No matter if you are center court or in isolation in CCC, someone is always
watching. And even if the crowd seems small, and rooting for the other team,
there is always one person there cheering you on to ultimate victory-Jesus
Christ. Fair and honest, He keeps no record of your fouls, or accusations
against you. He forgives, and the game continues. And when we are greeted with
the finality of life, His open arms await us. In His perfect time, no early
foul outs or overtime. The end here is the beginning of life in eternity. A
never ending season of grace. So enjoy our pre-season of grace now, it prepares
us for the eternal game with God. And in the final analysis, winning is
everything...no next season or second chance for non-believers or losers.
Consider that today as you play this game of life, and live it for God. He adds
to His team daily-ask yourself whose team you are on. Today could be the first
day of that new season in Christ.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com