Losing...

I don't know about you, but I HATE to lose...

I hate it when my favorite teams lose a game, especially in the playoffs - the finality of it all just hurts too much.  I hate it when my kids fail - not so much for my sake, but for theirs.  The look of disappointment and their emotional response tugs at the heartstrings of any parent who witnesses their child come up short in life.  I hate it when I see the people in my church fail...  They don't always see it, but they could have done so much better in some area.  Or, sometimes it's an issue outside of their control, and failure is the outcome: failed marriages, prodigal children, financial mismanagement, poorly thought out choices.  And the list goes on...

Why do I hate losing?  Because I have strong passions in life...  I don't just root for THE Ohio State Buckeyes - I literally play the game with them (well, that might be a stretch - but you get my drift).  I grew up a Larry Bird fan - or better put: fanatic.  When the 80's & 90's Celtics lost, I was devastated...almost in shock.  As a lifelong Steelers fan, I've seen the good & the bad - rode on every emotional roller coaster with them from Noll to Cowher to Tomlin...  And as a Cleveland Indians fan, I put myself through agony 162 days out of the year (and back when they made the playoffs years ago, it only got worse: each pitch, each swing of the bat, each putout - you're quickly learning I'm messed up)...

In 1997, Edgar Renteria laced a line-drive off Charlie Nagy, who was pitching in relief, to score the winning run for the Marlins (yeah, that team) in Game 7 of the World Series.  I sat there numb for probably an hour...

So, why do I hate losing?  Because of what it represents: someone wasn't good enough.  When given the moment to shine, the outcome was the less desirable...by a LONG shot.  The emotion: heartache, letdown, bottoming out - however one wants to describe it...  But somebody succeeded and somebody failed...  I always believed, whether I was watching my team play or playing the game myself - somehow, some way, we would find a way to win...

But it doesn't always work that way...

God has given us a choice...  It's rather simple, yet complex.  We can either choose to love Him - or - we can choose to disregard Him.  It takes faith, and for many, it's a risk not worth taking.  I believe in a God who gives us every opportunity to acknowledge His love & grace - to choose Him (and His reward of heaven) over the letdowns of the "rewards" of earth.  But I know many who won't...  I believe in the end they will lose...  And because of that, I find myself devastated...  I can't choose for them, but I can pray for them...be an example for them...and hopefully show them that Christianity is not a bunch of stuffy people following a bunch of rigid rules, led by a dictator-God who knows when you're naughty or nice...  I can only show them the path that I believe, by faith, will lead us to a place that is truly "home."

The Bible puts it this way:

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... - 2 Peter 3:9-11

Like I said, I hate seeing people lose...

Mike