“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Choosing the Right Team
Proverbs 14:16 – “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”
Four years ago, we witnessed one of the most exciting runs in NCAA Tournament history. Nobody thought #15 Florida Gulf Coast University would beat #2 Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. After beating San Diego State in the second game, FGCU became the first #15 seed to win two tournament games and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Throughout the Georgetown game, FGCU was draining 3s, throwing alley-oops, and playing like it was open gym. Why? Because they were having fun, and they knew they would win.
Georgetown expected to win; FGCU knew they would win. Therein lies the difference. Georgetown approached the game with the thought they were already moving on to the second round before the game even started, but FGCU was playing to make a point: and the point was that no team, no matter how “great” they may appear on film or on paper, is guaranteed a victory.
As with our lives against sin.
Though it is complete apples and oranges to compare a basketball game with the battle against sin, the problem with temptation and the influences of the world is that we often view the battle as one that is impossible to overcome; however, in reality, the victor in the battle has already been determined. But what it takes is something that is not as monumental and laborious as we might think. The truth is, the battle can be won because we already know the winner. That’s the beauty of it all. It’s just that we have to choose the winning side because we already know the outcome. And the outcome is that God wins. All the time. Every game. Every trial. Every challenge. Every temptation. No matter how impossible it might seem.
God wins. That’s it.
But the problem is that we still choose the losing side far too often.
So pick God’s side. He always wins. Any other choice and you are guaranteed to lose.
– DANIEL MATTHEWS
(PHOTO CREDIT: SLG)
