Indomitable
I was watching the first American
Olympic Game Saturday, women’s basketball, in a pleasant rout of the
Czech Republic
. There’s something wonderfully strange about the Olympics. I NEVER watch
women’s basketball. NEVER. (Don’t write me about it ladies, I know it’s a
flaw and I’m confessing it here.) Yet I find myself getting excited about the
U.S.
women being ranked number one and always considered in the top three
contenders. I confess to thinking, during the game, that these are “our”
girls, although I had absolutely nothing to do with them being there aside from
drinking Coke who claims to be a major supporter of the team. I was drawn in as
a supporter.
That may be one reason I’m interested to watch the Russians play with American
J.R. Holden on the men’s squad and Becky Hammon of S. Dakota on the women’s.
Although many athletes have competed under flags not their own, this will be the
first Olympics where American citizens have competed under the Russian flag.
Anyway, I digress.
During the game with the
Czech
Republic
the female sportscaster (I apologize for not getting her name) made a revealing
comment about the Americans. She mentioned that many of the teams “play the
pool” in competitions. For example, the Russians are noted for holding back
and sizing up the competition before really turning loose. Others don’t get
too concerned about winning games, except for the special ones that send them up
the competition. On the other hand, the Americans, she said, “Come out and
expect to win EVERY game.” Little games or big ones, we want to win! I like
that. I think that’s the way to take on life. It is a spirit of positive
expectation.
When I preach I’m never surprised when a soul steps forward at the invitation
because I expect a response every time. The Bible is that powerful. It doesn’t
happen every time, but that doesn’t stop me from expecting. When I teach a
home Bible study I expect a conversion every time. It doesn’t always happen,
but I still keep expecting. With the Lord’s help I expect to win.
I expect gospel meetings, youth lectures, seminars, and conferences to do much
good for the cause of the kingdom. I expect, when I go overseas, to see the
power of God’s word working powerfully on the hearts of people untainted by
materialism and the idolatry of greed. I expect the church to grow and I expect
the church where I labor to grow. I expect my children to be successful and
faithful. I expect my friends to defend and support me. I expect my wife to keep
loving me. I expect the Lord to continue to have patience with me and watch over
me when no one else can. And as I consider this list, I find that almost all of
the above happens. It happens regularly, consistently, and is observable. And it
is no surprise to me because with the Lord’s help I expect to win.
I feel sad for the nations that entered the Olympic Stadium Friday night to
the commentators’ explanations about upheavals, political turnovers, wars,
impeachments, and invasions over, and over, and over. I feel equally sad for
those who go through life full of anxiety, lacking hope, and wondering what will
happen next. Whether it is an “American” way of thought, or a
“Christian” way, let me encourage you to at least try to look up every day.
Expect to win. You won’t always do it, but being surprised by a “win” is
no way to live. And it’s amazing how many things the Lord can help you with if
you come to him with that attitude of faith.
— by Carl McMurray
(Editor’s Note: The above
article makes an important point. There is a difference in talking about growth
and expecting it. We can fall prey to an attitude that says we need to grow but
I don’t believe it will happen. Let us have faith enough in God’s word to
recognize the need for and expectation in growth. D.T.)
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