High Expectations!

I am pouring over the stat sheets, watching NFL updates on ESPN and creating my strategy cheat sheets for my upcoming Fantasy Football drafts. Yes, I am a Fantasy Football Junkie. One aspect of what makes it so intriguing is the high expectation factor of who will become an exceptional player this year and if you picked them, then your Fantasy Football Team will destroy the competition (like those who picked Patrick Mahomes last year). The problem is, you never really know how a player will do, and with higher expectations is the likely possibility of higher disappointments.

Two examples in the NFL and NBA remind us of high expectations come with high disappointments. Ryan Leaf, the QB drafted by the Chargers as a second pick behind Peyton Manning. Sports Illustrated asked “How good is he (Leaf)?” and answered, “Almost as good as he thinks he is, which is to say spectacular.” However, after a $31 million dollar contract and a disaster of a rookie season with more locker room fights and emotional breakdowns than touchdowns, he became one of the biggest busts in the NFL. In the NBA, does anyone remember the first three picks of the 1984 draft? Number 1: Houston selected Hakeem Olajuwon, Number 3: Chicago selected Michael Jordan and (yes you can groan), between the two, Portland selected at Number 2: Sam Bowie. Sports Illustrated, said that pick was the biggest draft bust in NBA history.

High expectations sometimes can lead to high disappointments. One of the most colorful Judges in Israel’s history was birthed with high expectations with great potential. He showed glimpses of power and might as the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and yet his role as a deliverer to the Israelites ends as a major disappointment. He is Samson.  Samson was God’s number one pick to be the mighty warrior to defeat the Philistines and drive them out of Israel, establish peace and worship to God and re-establish Israel as a holy nation. Samson, however, allowed cultural distractions and personal weaknesses (primarily those that bat their eyes and twirl their hair) to diminish and eventually destroy the great potential he had as Judge and deliverer.

What about us? Do we even begin to think of ourselves as God’s #1 pick for his team? I believe, God has high expectations for us, and certainly much greater than we view ourselves. He views us with great potential, and He is ready to equip us for whatever task or challenge may lie ahead. God sees us as men of character and integrity living our lives in the fullness of God’s love in all our roles as spouse, friend, parent, co-worker, business owner, etc. God sees how we could have a great influence on others, if we submit our lives to him and train with obedience and dedication. We could be His star player on His team. Wow! To think God chose us as His #1 pick, with high expectations and full of potential. I think all of us want to be an MVP on God’s Team, so let’s train and begin to live like one.

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ^ – Colossians 1:10-12

   

Freedom!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. – Declaration of Independence, July 4^th, 1776 – Thomas Jefferson

Tomorrow, July 4^th, 2019 we celebrate our American Independence Day with parades, picnics, BBQ’s and get-togethers with family and friends. We are all blessed to be citizens of a country that was founded on the freedom and rights of the individual. Later, our U.S. Constitution limited the powers of the government with a representative democracy and detailed the checks and balances of the three branches of the Federal Government to protect our individual freedoms and rights. Of the many freedoms we treasure, but most of us take for granted, is the freedom of religion. The very first clause of the First Amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof… I believe that the reason why the religious freedom clause is first is very significant to the historical founding of our nation, their current church/state culture, and in protecting the religious freedom for future generations was their number one concern. We are blessed today because of it.

In many, if not most, of the other countries around this world there is government infringement, control, restrictions, or outright persecution of the individual Christian and the Christian church. Most of the Islamic governed nations have either national or regional laws prohibiting Christians from proselytizing (sharing their faith) or having home/community worship services and turn a blind eye when mobs violently attack Christians. Outright violence against Christians is at historical levels in SE Europe, Middle East, North Africa and SE Asia. Communist countries, past and present, have tried to eliminate Christianity and the Christian Church, but today the church thrives in Russia and China although various levels of persecution still exist.

Today, I am reminded of how blessed I am to openly live my faith, share my faith, and have the freedom to worship with my Christian brothers and sisters whenever and wherever we choose. What a truly great treasure we have with this unalienable right to pursue life and liberty in Christ. Yet, like the vast majority of American Christians, we take this right for granted. As for our church attendance, participation, and support we often dismiss it, take a self-focused what’s-in-it-for-me attitude, or as casual spiritual entertainment. It’s easy to make excuses of why not to go to church. It’s easy to church hop seeking the most entertaining preacher or worship experience. It’s easier to sleep-in, go fishing, watch football, whatever and even work than be dedicated to your church.

I don’t want to miss out on the love, truth and freedom we have in Christ and the fellowship of one another by taking my individual right for granted. For true freedom doesn’t come from Thomas Jefferson or our U.S. Constitution, but from our Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV

Check out current news of the worldwide persecuted church at: opendoorsusa.org and vom.com.au