Scripture

Our verse for today is from Luke 2:20, “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Background

The official beginning of March Madness will be here before we know it … the nickname used to describe the unpredictable, exciting time of college basketball’s national championship tournament. And just like they have for so many years before, millions of people will fill out a tournament bracket, attempting to predict the winners of each game and ultimately, the national champion. It is perhaps the most inexact, over-analyzed, surprise-filled event that all of sports has to offer. Millions of dollars will be bet on the games, thousands of hours of television will be watched, and who knows how many text messages and tweets will be sent discussing the plays and outcomes of the games, especially when one’s favorite team or predicted winner is playing.

Application

And so I can’t help but ask if this madness is in any way similar to our walk with the Lord. I wonder if the hype and attention and anticipation mirrors anything that we do that concerns our spiritual lives and our relationship with our Maker? The obvious answer, of course, is that it should. Nothing as temporary or entertaining as a basketball tournament should eclipse our devotion and zeal for the One who is keeping you alive even as you read this. The disparity is infinitely greater than that between the number one seeded teams and the number sixteen seeded teams. And with more than five dozen games to be played over the course of the tournament, there is ultimately plenty of opportunity for that disparity to be brought to our attention. But in God’s graciousness, even basketball can be used to turn our hearts back to Him. So let the games, any games, refocus your time and attention, even as you enjoy the excitement that will pale to what we’ll experience in God’s court.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to fill you with an excitement and anticipation for His presence. Spend an appropriate amount of time with Jesus, especially in comparison with the time you’ll spend with your television.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words