I happen to be a die-hard Minnesota Viking fan. The Vikings were established the year I was born and ever since I was a young boy I’ve followed the team. When I was young, Mom let me decorate my room in Viking colors and Viking posters and Viking wall switch, lamp shade, waste basket … even had grass turf as carpet. These days, I daily take my phone and go to my Viking news sites and read up on whatever news there is about them. You have to understand – there is a passion here. When they win, life is good. When they lose, I get a little sad (not too sad as most of the games are on Sunday and the Lord get’s honor on His Day).
When I was living in the Pacific Northwest, I recorded the games since most of the games would be played while I was at church. Coming home after services with the game ended and recorded, I had the wonderful option of fast forwarding to the end of the game. Depending on my mood and the team being played I’d fast forward to who won. I do this because I don’t watch the game for enjoyment as much as joining in the battle my team is in. If my Vikings won, its like I win and I would gleefully return to the beginning and whole heartedly enjoy the game. As I watch, I didn’t care if my quarterback was throwing interceptions, or if my running back fumbling the ball. I didn’t care if the other team scores touchdowns.
My spirit changed when I know in the end, my team wins.
I was talking to Steve Kordahl last Sunday about the state of our country and the elections this next week. We shared a bit of worry and anxiousness as we reflected on how our country has been acting. We reflected on how it’s almost like there are two sides doing battle for the soul of our nation and we wonder who’s going to win. Yet, Steve was great to remind me of an old quote by Billy Graham – “I read the last chapter of the Bible and Jesus wins.”
Christian, we know the final score. We can ‘fast-forward’ history and see in the end how Jesus is the victor. Jesus put it this way,
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33)
When we face our personal problems and our worries and questions about our nation with the perspective that Jesus has won and continues too be our conquering hero — everything changes.
Pray for our country. Pray for the elections. Pray for whoever comes to office. But never pray wondering who is going to ‘win’ for Christ has already won and those in Him have already too!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Pastor Mark
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