March Madness

It's that time of year again. Many people lose their minds and lose focus for anything other than the NCAA's National Championship tournament. It is when company pools are created, fathers versus sons and daughters verses mothers become the theme for a few weeks. After 64 (I guess now 66) teams begin, after the first day its down to 32 then 16 then 4 and finally just ONE.

Okay, what does that have to do with God, the Bible and/or Jesus? Well this is life as our society and the world wants you to believe it is. The best become the champions and everyone else is left behind, first is best and even second is considered first LOSER. Is that what Scripture teaches us?

Paul talks about a sporting event in 1 Corinthians 9:23 "And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." Sounds as if Paul is saying one WINS!

If this is a race, if we are competing against each other, this would be the case, but in context, Paul is talking about something entirely different. Oh, it's still a race, but it's against ourselves. And in reality isn't that is what it shoul dbe about-life, sports- doing our best, and getting better. Paul points this out in the last verse of the chapter, (vs. 27) " But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

Paul says 'my body' as symbolic of himself, all of him; spiritually, physically and mentally.

It is us taking care of us, so we can win OUR RACE!!!!

Race and Win my FRIEND!!!!

GOD BLESS

Tony

#basketball #marchmadness #race