Pouring It On

In sports, there are some un-written sportsmanship rules, especially when there is a lopsided score. For example, in football a team with a big lead stops throwing and simply runs the ball; in baseball, the team with the big lead stops stealing base; and in basketball, teams stop pressing and trying to throw long passes for easy layups when they have a huge lead in the second half. It is commonly seen as pretty classless when teams fail to adhere to these rules. Recently I saw this happen at a high school varsity basketball game. Maybe it is just my pet peeve, but here is what happened.

Bridge City was playing the top ten team, the Silsbee Tigers. This season the Tigers have an excellent team and came into the game undefeated. By the second half, the game had already been decided with Silsbee holding a 40-point lead. But nothing changed! Instead of pulling back and playing a bit more conservative and just finishing the game, the Tigers continued with their full court press that had helped gain their lead. Their defensive intensity never wavered and they continued to look for long passes to boost the score further. They simply wanted to pour it on and they did. Final score on the books, Silsbee 90, Bridge City 22!

Is that what it has come to? Didn’t anyone learn “the Jurassic Park” lesson of… just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should? This was the kind of thing that gives sports a bad name. Even one of the Silsbee players turned and cursed the visiting crowd (which of course the referees did not hear) after they booed his aggressive play as he hammered a player trying to steal the ball in spite of that huge lead. I blame the coaches for such a horrible exhibition and example of sportsmanship. What were they thinking? Were they trying to reach 100? Sorry, but they are in charge of the players and they could have turned it down a notch. I am sure the good folks in Silsbee want to be represented better than that. We all want to be proud of our student athletes, not just for winning, but winning or losing with class.

But, that is our society from time to time. It seems that some coaches don’t care or get some sick thrill out of winning is such a manner. But it is not the first nor will it be the last time coaches act so foolishly. Last year it was national news when coaches at a kid’s football league game in the Houston area got into a fistfight. We are appalled when nearly a decade ago Indiana Pacer players went into the stands in Detroit to fight fans. So here it is… another poor example of what NOT to do.

From a spiritual standpoint, it isn’t hard to find numerous passages in the Bible about respecting others and having mercy. The Gospels and almost all the other books tell us to respect one another and treat others with kindness. I believe most people do act respectful and kind to others. I see it all the time in courteous driving habits, opening doors for others, good manners, and even in a friendly “howdy”.

Maybe it is just me, but I was taught years ago that athletics aren’t just about winning, but doing our best and enjoying the sport. As a pastor, I know athletics are a gift from God and brings joy to many people. It should be treated as such, play hard, but be respectful to your opponent. Until next time, Blessings!

The Rescue Squad

A few months ago I was stuck in traffic because a car wreck had occurred. I sat and waited until the police, ambulances, and tow trucks arrived and helped the people.
It struck me that God has done the same thing for each of us.
If we go back to the beginning we see where we went wrong. Looking at the Genesis text, we see that Adam and Eve were, like many drivers, perking along fine down the road with God. They ate, drank, and conversed with God daily. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is from Genesis 3:8-9 “When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God. God called to the Man: "Where are you?”
Where are you? That is the question of all time. What has happened to the wonderful existence that God brought forth at the Garden of Eden. It was a place where we could hear God walking, see God, and converse with God. Eden was lost.
Fortunately, God knew, even before we left Eden, that all of history would be a rescue mission. Like the assistance rendered to the wrecked vehicles, God would be there to rescue us from sin and death. Even though we were at fault, God chose not to abandon us, but from the beginning, God chose to do whatever it took to bring us home to His safe arms.
When Moses needs to get across the Red Sea, God chooses to act. God gives Moses the ability to divide the water and allows the Israelites to cross. When Elijah confronts to prophets of Baal, God reigns down fire to set water soaked wood ablaze.
God’s rescue plan is fulfilled as Jesus (God in the flesh) is born into the broken world and lives among us, dies on the Cross and is resurrected from the dead. Death is defeated and we are saved! Exodus 15:3 is right… God is indeed a warrior who saves His people. And God has done all this why? Not because of our goodness or our worthiness, but simply for His good pleasure. I am just delighted that each of us can claim that title… a rescued child of God.