My heart is racing. I’m wringing my hands. Nerves everywhere, watching game 7 of the World Series. I’m talking (not so softly) to my TV. Come on CLE. Let’s do this. We NEED this. Come on, Lindor. Homer it baby!
Praying. Help them, Lord.
We are Cleveland fans through and through. Cavs. Indians. Browns. The West Side Market. We love Cleveland.
I’m watching this tiny portion of history unfold as I clean out the refrigerator…because why wouldn’t you put all that nervous energy to good use?
And it dawns on me. Somewhere there’s a Cubs fan cleaning out the fridge, talking to the TV, saying, “We NEED this.” Praying for the Cubs to win.
Someone is going to lose tonight. One of these teams will taste the agony. Feel the disappointment like a knife to the heart.
Both of these teams have worked hard. Blood, sweat and tears as they say. They’ve both paid the price to get here. They are fighting it out hit for hit. But someone is going to lose tonight. There can only be one winner.
Will it be the Indians or the Cubs?
It’s not over yet. It could be us. There’s absolutely nothing I can do to change the course of events. All I can do is watch it play out in front of me.
Helpless is not an emotion I’m comfortable with.
But I feel that way more and more the longer I’m alive.
The kids grow up and we can’t stop it. The doctor’s report is not what we expected. The elections roll by. A lost job. An accident. Our dream dies. Our team loses the World Series. Or wins it.
The day life changes forever comes and goes and we can’t do a thing about it.
That’s when His words flood me like a tsunami. Shelter in a storm I can’t stop.
You’re not alone. I will always be with you. I’ll walk you through the fire and through the water and into a place of abundance.
Look at those stars. I put them in place and call them by name. I can handle this.
You can walk on these tumultuous waters if you hold on to Me.
I will always be Your God.
In spite of whatever unexpected thing life is throwing at us, we can take heart. Be encouraged. Let this Word seep through our bones and bring strength to our hearts.
He will ALWAYS be our God. Protector. Shelter. Strength.
Although it remains to be seen who will win this game tonight, 2000 years ago Jesus secured a victory for us that is settled. There can only be one winner, and He holds that title forever because of the cross. And because He won, we win.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23)
God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:18-19)