March 24th, 2024: Lessons from March Madness

March Madness began this week. It is the most celebrated college basketball tournament. Personally, I enjoy watching college basketball a lot more than the NBA. It is more intense. It shows the pride of the histories and traditions of different schools. It shows 'the real pride' of being the best. Every game can be the last game for any team regardless of its ranking. Indeed, there will be surprises and disappointments.

Maybe we should approach our Christian life the same way. We should aim to give our best no matter what the opposing team throws at us. Every single day counts, and we should not take our eyes off our spiritual battle. Teams win these championships as a team. Everyone has to contribute. Christians overcome individual spiritual struggles as a community. Everyone needs to pull their gifts together as one body under Jesus as the head.

We have seen many times teams with lower ranks win these championships. They seem to disregard the experts' opinions to get their job done. The Christian church as a whole has not been ranked all that high by the world. Don't allow the viewpoints of the world to affect our commitment to the final victory. Indeed, there will be many surprises from now to that day. Be ready to face the battle against the principalities of this world.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12