Finding Our True Purpose During This March Madness

Reflecting on Life's Ultimate Championship

It's March Madness season for college basketball! As we look over our brackets, we are reminded that the best record or player doesn't always define the winning team. These athletes have been preparing for this opportunity, many for much of their lives. Repetitions in the gym, mental preparation, and probably overcoming some obstacles on their journey. For many, the opportunity to participate in "The Big Dance" may be the highlight of their athletic career.

Guys, when we look at our lives, what are we spending our energy preparing for? What is our "Big Dance"? We all know the right answer to that question, but you get distracted if you are like us often. We get focused on ME, NOW, or WHATEVER we are currently challenged with. Something mankind has struggled with since the beginning: we all have a race to run!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

This morning, we focused on the first sentence of Hebrews 12:1. Not knowing exactly what it meant, we did some research to learn that the "great cloud of witnesses" is those who came before us and demonstrated faithfulness, paving the way for us to do the same. It's like Alumni coming to watch us play; it's our turn, guys!

Of course, we must shout out to the perfect example: Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith." This weekend, We were reminded several times about how Jesus was fully human and divine. He fully knows what we are up against, gentlemen. He experienced it firsthand and accepted the most painful and humiliating death so that we could have the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven. WOW, let that soak in for a minute.

"He bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

As we approach Easter Sunday and end this work week on Good Friday, we challenge each other to take some time to reflect and let sink in the totality of what Jesus did for us. A great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, those who have gone before us and are now cheering us on in our faith journey. We pray that each of us will take that to heart and find ways to make God smile this week!