Over the last six months Mary and I have been witnesses to our grandkids’ competitive participation in hockey, soccer, flag-football, softball, tennis, volleyball, basketball, and baseball.
As I sit and watch, often with a churning gut, I find myself whispering prayers. The primary theme of these conversations with the Almighty revolve around some aspect of success. “Please… a goal, a save, a touchdown, a winner, a dig, a pass, a hit, a three pointer, please. And yes, Lord, a ‘W’ would be great.”
Subtly, I’ve begun to equate winning with answered prayer. Not just in my own heart, but perhaps in the young lives in front of me.
Feels harmless and natural with kids’ sports, but the question is, does the line stop there? Where else have I equated winning with answered prayer?
Perhaps the disciples did the same thing. Jesus. The promised one. The prophesied one. The King. The writing was on the wall.
Roman occupation and oppression. Now the cavalry. Sweet retaliation on the way. An overthrow. A thrashing.
Whispered prayers.
I’ve become increasingly convinced that my walk with Christ is hindered anytime I equate the infinite will of God to the finite results of life.
There is no question that Jesus came to establish victory. But over death, not Rome. Frankly, victory over Rome would take care of itself, as cultural rot eroded the foundation of a society.
Did Jesus win? Did He talk about winning?
“Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant to all.”
The direct quotes from the heart and lips and example of Jesus are hardly your traditional pregame pep talk. His whispered prayer was not for conquest, but obedience to the will of His Father.
Jesus understood that setting the bar on winning was far too low a standard.
Rome was never the problem. Sin was.
Winning was never the solution. Salvation was.
Political control was never the objective. Love of God and neighbor was.
Accumulation was never the sign of success. Generosity was.
Jesus
replaced a podium with a basin and a towel.
He never panicked over popular opinion, because He answered only to His Father.
His platform was solid. His guidelines clear. His grace abundant.
Jesus didn’t come to win. He came to transform.
He chose to rule and reign in hearts, not in the halls of power.
Winning. A preoccupation with the things that moth and rust and thieves have
full access to.
But not Jesus. Not the early church.
Voteless followers of Jesus knew that winning was always temporary, but victory
in Christ was eternal.
My whispered prayers.
Victory in Jesus.
Period.
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