Mike’s Musings …
State Champions!
Orleans, Indiana, is a unique town of just under 2200 people. The Junior-Senior High School has an enrollment of under 300 students. And only because I’m writing this article on a Wednesday before they play on Saturday morning, I cannot tell you if they are now the owners of a State Championship trophy for Class A- Indiana High School Boys Basketball. What I can tell you is that this community is ecstatic over their accomplishments and presently will hear nothing of being “second best.” Right now, they are determined to be champions!
For this small yet vibrant community, the excitement of this game surpasses that of the famed Hickory basketball team in the movie Hoosiers (based on the true story of Milan, Indiana’s 1954 boys basketball team). Sure, I hope to listen to the game as I drive to a gospel meeting, and yes, I hope they win! What a thrill for those boys, and the town of Orleans if they do win!
While I contemplate their potential victory, I muse on the realized victory souls can obtain in Christ Jesus. We have the victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:57) and over sin (1 John 5:4). No, there are no “trophies” to display, but spiritually, a crown of life is promised to the victors (Revelation 2:110). Paul encourages us by telling us, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37) That’s something every obedient soul has to look forward to; gained by being obedient in all we say and do for the Master!
Sports teams will come and go, just like any other endeavor of mankind. Memories will be made and the “golden days of yesterday” will be rehearsed by those who participated in them. But for the righteous, muse on that greater reward – that ETERNAL reward that comes not from playing a game but living the life of a Christian! Muse on that eternal success!!!