For His Glory Pastor Tom Marker
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (2 Pet 1:3)
Among more tasty fare, my secret pal gave me something for Easter that stopped me in my tracks and forced me to reconsider my relationship with God.
A Chicago Cubs baseball cap.
Now my secret pal had no way of knowing that I was in such despair that I had cut off all activity in pursuing a relationship with the team that has brought me unbridled joy for the last 39 years. Nor did my secret pal know that I was being a hypocritical fool. But I was.
Turn the clock back to 2008, the 100th anniversary of when the last time my Cubs had won the World Series. The stage was finally set to win it all, to break the curse, to silence all who mock the Cubs and us their fans. The men in blue pinstripes were the best team in the National League on paper. They led all other NL squads in offensive categories such as runs, runs batted in, on-base pct., slugging pct., doubles and total bases. Their pitchers held up their end of the bargain by leading the league in wins, strikeouts and held the opposition to the lowest batting average.
The Cubs were perhaps the most gifted team on the northside of Chicago in a century.
And they went out and got swept 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Season over.
I was devastated. I felt betrayed, let down and so disappointed that I informed Debbie that I was through with them. I wanted nothing more to do with them EVER!
Then my secret pal gave me the cap and I started thinking. Who do I think I am, anyway? What if God summarily treated me the way I treated the Cubs? On paper I have everything I will ever need to prevail in the Christian life here on earth (2 Peter 1:3). He has lavished His blessings upon my life. God has seen to it that I am amply equipped to thrive spiritually for He has given me His Word, His Spirit and His Son. He has also given me His church to support me in ways I cannot begin to fathom.
Thus when I do not live up to His expectations in my faith, will He abandon me? Has He boycotted my life? What right do I have to act so self-righteous? None whatsoever. I am humbled that my Lord hangs in there with me even in my darkest days when I deserve to be cut loose from any association with the living God.
And then I cannot but help to consider the people in my life; family, friends, church family. Am I giving them the freedom to learn and grow and yes at times, fail in their own journey of faith? Am I forgiving them and embracing them even when they fail to meet my expectations?
With my cap worn proudly, I again cheer for my Cubs. This could be the year. Then again, they might break my heart yet again. Either way, they are my team. And when I break the heart of our Heavenly Father, I will remain His child.
