| I was preparing last night to author a Thursday’s Thirst that basically said, “I am taking the day off,” until I watched the first hour the evening news. Every news story was distressing – missing children, abuse, murder, wildfires, problems in our government, … you name it, not a good or encouraging word. And then came the sports … “Hey,” they said, “The Lions are great, but let’s not ignore the Wings or the Pistons, either.” The entire sports account was saturated with good news! In a world so filled with scary miseries, is there any wonder why we love our sports? So, instead of taking the day off completely, I’ll offer a short, but invaluable, redirection suggested by St. Paul, “Finaly, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4.8-9) Those who heard me preach this past Sunday heard me say (learned from me?), “Optimists think that everything is rosy all the time – which is not true, often dangerous and unhealthy thinking. To be a pessimist thinking the opposite is even more dangerous and unhealthy. A realist believes that God in Christ is in control – even during the dark, dangerous, and scary times as well as when the sun is shining.” And if God is in control and we are his, then, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For (we) are sure that neither death nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.37-39) Knowing this – along with the Tigers signing Alex Bregman – should leave me content, secure, and optimistic for quite some time … enjoy my day off. |
