Basketball and God

This weekend was my daughters first basketball game. If you have never watched a group of eight year old girls playing basketball then you have missed something great in life. If you go to watch great strategies, high scoring games, and incredible ball handling skills then you will be a little disappointed. But if you have come to see a picture of God's love then you have come to the right place. Let me paint the picture for you, the sidelines are filled to capacity with moms, dads, aunts, uncles and siblings. There are more cameras than a paparazzi convention. Everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting for their child to step out onto the court. As they do the family members begin to cheer and applaud. Even before the kids touch the ball the families are cheering. Then the game begins, for the better part of 30 minutes, girls run up and down the court dribbling, tripping, kicking and occasionally shooting the ball. If you were to close your eyes for a moment you would think you are at the state championship of girls basketball. However when you open your eyes you notice that parents are cheering with extraordinary enthusiasm for or ordinary events. In fact, it wouldn't matter what the girls did, they would still get the thunderous applause and cheers of love struck onlookers. Even when one of the girls ran, not dribbled, to the wrong goal everyone cheered. As I was thinking about the game, I realized I had just had a glimpse into the kingdom of God. I believe God views each of us like those parents viewed their children. God is not as much concerned about who is winning or losing, who has the most points or who looks best out on the court. But instead, he is waiting on the sideline to just cheer your presence. You don't have to do anything for Him to stand and cheer you on. God is for you, He is your biggest van and most vocal cheerleader. No matter what happens out on the court of life God is cheering. Most of us think they we are not worth cheering for unless we accomplish some great task. But the truth of the matter is no matter how much good you do, how many times you succeed, or how many times you fail God's love for you never changes. The Bible talks about God's unfailing love. It tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. NOTHING!!!!! So if you are reading this today and you, like me, have had your share of missed plays, going in the wrong direction, or falling on your face please remember the basketball game and know that God is standing on your side and he is so madly in love with you that he can't help to stand and cheer at the glimpse of your presence. Think of about it.

Peace,
Ralph