Why Does God Let Christians Lose? Part 1 of 3

I've often wondered this question in regard to sports. If God wants Christians to be a witness for Him, and if those who win generally have the highest platform from which to shine, then why does God let so many good Christians lose in sports? If I were God, I would definitely help My children win so they could tell others about the good news of knowing Me.

Clearly, God has other things in mind. For many Christians have gone into sports and many have not seen success or at least the best of success, like championships. Sure, there are definite exceptions; look at Albert Pujols, Candace Parker, Tim Tebow (for crying out loud, could there be a bigger exception?). But many Christians enter high-profile sports and don't get much past average. Those that do excel and garner attention often don't win the championships or MVP awards; e.g. Jake Peavy, Matt Hasselbeck or Jarome Iginla (of the NHL). They do well but falter in crunch time, like the playoffs. Some reach the pinnacle but then their careers are cut short; Shaun Alexander is one that comes to mind. (Disregard my clear Seattle sports bias here.)

I was thinking about this question specifically with Kurt Warner in mind. Last football season he was on the virtual cusp of drinking in another Super Bowl MVP trophy and winning his second Super Bowl with a different team, something no other starting quarterback had done before. "What a great thing, God," I thought. "You had Tim Tebow back in January win the national championship and now Kurt Warner in February winning the Super Bowl." However, it was not to be. Victory was snatched from the fingers of the Arizona Cardinals and Warner. The camera panned to an upset Warner throwing his towel in frustration.

A blown opportunity for God to step in and help the Arizona defense stop the zipline pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes? Couldn't He have just helped the Arizona defensive back jump a little higher to deflect it on that one play? Alas, His ways are assuredly not my ways.

Michael Jordan

Last weekend Michael Jordan was inducted into the Professional Basketball Hall of Fame. His Airness, the greatest player to ever play the 118-year old game, was capping the end of his remarkable career. He truly had much to be thankful for considering extraordinary achievements. Yet, sadly, his speech was characterized not by gratitude, but by bitterness. It was as if he played his whole life with a grudge. I'm sad for his sake.

This brings up a good point for everyone who plays sports, or anyone who does anything for that matter. Nothing should be done out of bitterness, revenge or from a grudge. Even sport, which lends itself to playing for vengeance or playing with a chip on the shoulder, should not be played that way. In the short run playing because you're angry may work. You may win. You may even end up like Jordan, and have one of the best careers ever. But now we see first hand what it does in the long term. We now know what drove such competitiveness and passion for Jordan. Unfortunately, it wasn't fun, honor, love for teammates or family or the game, or any other unselfish motive. Rather it was something that tears at you on the inside. And sadly, as we can see, it still festers even when you've won everything there is to win.

The remedy: Gratitude for one thing; forgiveness for another; knowing who you are for a third. Just being thankful can go a long way in dispelling resentment. Forgiving coaches or players who have burned you, whether fairly or unfairly, releases a burden that can kill emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Lastly, knowing that you are not the end-all, be-all, simply one human playing another, and if you lose it's okay. It's okay because your identity is not wrapped up in what you do. These things go a long way in making a career in sports, or anything, more enjoyable.

2009 NFL Predictions - All of 'Em

The time has come for another season of the NFL! To kick things off before tonight's season opener, I have made predictions for 2009. This isn't some mamby-pamby prediction like the ones "experts" make, where they only pick Super Bowl contenders and/or division winners. When I say "predictions," I mean predictions of every team and their records. Prepare to get a real glimpse of how the 2009 NFL season will shake down (just click the link): 2009 NFL Predictions.

One quick note: The division winners are marked in blue. The wild-card teams are marked in red. Under the "Wild-Card" headings are the winners of the respective games in that round, and likewise for the "Divisional," "Championship," and "Super Bowl" headings.

Also, you'll notice I tempered my emotions and didn't just pick Seattle to go all the way. I was realistic (maybe).

Feedback is not only encouraged, it is demanded.

"Esther" Palin

Many people have talked about the comparisons between Sarah Palin and Esther, the fifth-century BC Jewish queen of Persia who was instrumental in saving the Jews from annihilation.

Like Esther, Palin is a follower of the God of the Bible. Like Esther, she is a relatively young, pretty woman with the platform to impact culture and an entire nation. Also like Esther, many people believe God has spoken that Palin is a woman appointed "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14), meaning that she has been called upon and raised up for something he wants to do.

Today, I came across another, almost eerie, parallel between Palin and Esther. Right after the "for such a time as this" line, Esther speaks of fulfilling the role God has for her. She says, "...and if I perish, I perish" (4:16). Reading this line in my quiet time today, I was taken aback. For it reminded me of something Palin said not two months ago about resigning from her governor post and pursuing "something" different: "...you know, politically speaking -- if I die, I die. So be it." Practically taken right out of the mouth of Esther herself!

I believe God has something in store for Palin and we haven't seen the last of her.