Today’s Daily Bread ~ March Madness

Ezekiel 3:16-17 – At the end of the seven days, the LORD gave me a message.  He said, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel.  Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately.”

I am going to admit to you right now that I am a sorry excuse for a college alumnus.  Yesterday was the first time I watched the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team all season, and wouldn’t you know it; they got knocked out of the tournament. 

I sat there, riveted, as Virginia Commonwealth soundly handled them throughout the course of the game.  Even the announcers were astonished as the last remaining number one seed fell.

As the clock ticked down the final seconds, the camera panned to one of the players as tears streamed from his eyes.  Their purpose, as players for one of the top basketball schools in the nation, had come to an end in the heartbreak of defeat. 

I remember my years as a Jayhawk.  I’m less sportsy, more artsy, so I only went to a handful of games.  But that didn’t mean I lacked school spirit.  KU puts on something called “The Rock Chalk Revue.”  The sororities and fraternities pair up and write a musical.  The initial planning to the performance (if you’re one of the five groups selected) takes almost the entire school year.  I was actively involved my freshman through junior years.

As a returning sophomore, my sorority had named me as one of the directors.  Starting that first day back at school, Rock Chalk was my number one priority.  I, along with the other directors, poured my heart and soul into it.  We were ecstatic to find that our group had been chosen, and the preparations went into overdrive.  We worked out the music, the choreography, and costumes.  We held auditions, then met twice a week with the Phi-Delts to practice.  When show-time came, we were ready to go.  If memory serves, we even took home two awards.

The night of the closing performance was one of the great highlights of my college career.  The next morning brought one of the lowest lows.

We had worked with laser-focus on the show.  The morning after it ended, I had absolutely nothing to do.  My purpose had been fulfilled.  The show was over, and I had nothing left to look forward to.  When we pour our heart and soul into earthy things that is the inevitable outcome.

The National Institute of Health cites research that states, “Athletes had significantly greater levels of self-esteem and social connectedness, as well as significantly lower levels of depression.”  Once their purpose for the year is completed, they’re often left feeling empty and aimless.

God creates each one of us with a divine purpose.  We are His, beautifully and wonderfully made.  We each have a completely unique blend of skills and talents, perfectly suited for that which He has called us to do.  No one else on earth can do what we were specifically crafted to accomplish.

Not long ago, I spoke to a mother who’d recently spent time in the hospital resulting from depression.  Her life, for the last 25 years, had been poured into raising her children.  When the last one left for college, she found herself in a strained marriage with nothing to do.  No games to watch, no kids to cart around, and no one to take care of except herself.  She felt empty and alone.  She discovered what many mothers do.  While our family is our first mission field, it should never be the only one.

John 15:12 – I command you to love each other.

Without a doubt, God calls each of us to love others with the love of Christ.  The word for love used here is agapaó in the Greek.  It means a self-sacrificing kind of love.  The kind of love that goes the extra mile for someone.  It indicates a choice.  God means for us to act in love for others, or to act in their best interest, regardless of how we feel about them.

John 13:14-15 – And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.

Matthew 20:26-28 – But among you it should be quite different.  Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave.  For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.

So many walk around with a sense of entitlement. Entitled to the good life.  Entitled to a better job, house, car.  We will never find lasting satisfaction in a higher position or a bigger paycheck.  But God’s hand of blessing covers us when we serve.  When we sacrifice our immediate comforts for someone’s betterment, we are living in the center of God’s will.

Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.  Don’t hide your light under a basket!  Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.

You are the light of your world.  You.  God has placed you specifically right where you are so that His glory will be known.  Are you loving those in your circle of influence?  Do you serve them joyfully?  Can they see your light?  Don’t cover the light of His Presence in your life.  Don’t let one soul in your sphere go untouched.  God has called you to the Highest Purpose, and that is making Christ known.  He will take you to the highest heights if you obey, and carry you through your lowest lows.  He makes the good glorious, the mundane purposeful, and the bad bearable.  Answer His call.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for having such faith in us.  But God, we confess that we don’t always love like You call us to.  Please touch our hearts and fill us with compassion for those who are difficult.  Please help us to love them, regardless of how we feel about them.  God, we confess that we don’t always serve like we should.  Please touch our hands and our feet that we would be quick to give of ourselves.  We confess that we don’t always shine Your light – our lives are not always reflective of our identity in Christ.  Please fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit, so that everyone who looks at us sees You.  We love You, God.  Please show us what You would have us do today, work through us.  Help us to answer the call You have specifically placed on our lives.  We ask these things in the precious, holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.