The 2013 Cleveland Indians had a 12-16 record in the month of August and were hopelessly out of the Central race. But they stormed back in September with a 21-6 record including a 10 game winning streak to close the season. They ended up winning the American League wild card and played Tampa Bay in a one game playoff game. A 162 game season now came down to just one. The Tampa Bay Rays won the game 4-0 and just like that, it was over. Another Cleveland euphoria sports moment followed by a bitter letdown. But after all, sports is very much a microcosm of life. We long-suffering Cleveland sports fans can identify most with the Book of Ecclesiastes. We got Lebron and Kevin Love so an NBA championship is in the bag. A recent 4 game losing streak and a 5-7 record later, maybe we aren't so sure.
The book of Ecclesiastes is a difficult book. It identifies these cycles of life that seem to inevitably end in disappointment. Gloomy days seem like the norm. But there is more there. God wants us to look at life from an eternal perspective. First, life's cycles are to be embraced because they are only part of the broader picture of eternity. God wants us to experience both (7:14). Secondly, looking forward can sometimes be futile when we should relish the joy of the present. Rejoice while we have the opportunity (2:24, 3:12, 6:14, 9:9). Finally, go with the flow. He is not saying, don't plan. He is saying, don't get hung up on the future (11:5). You don't know what is going to happen. There are so many things we don't know. Life is to know God and to trust Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment