Devotionals

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After months of anticipation and expectancy the great event begins tomorrow night. Though politics, economics, justice, trade and international strife dominate the media agenda, many of us will leave it all behind as our thoughts, radios and TVs tune to a rather daggy cricket ground in London, known simply as 'Lords'. The Ashes Tests are about to begin. Five games of five day cricket will determine the holder of the ashes - a prize that symbolizes the independence and success of that upstart colony, or a long over due reminder that the Lion can still roar. The ashes, in fact, are a very small urn which contains the ashes of the stumps burned, in a sulk, after the home team lost the first series over a hundred years ago. The urn never leaves British soil but since the European summer of '88 the holder of the ashes has been decidedly 'down under'.

A five day game tests bowler, batsman, fielder and fan. No three hour baseball excitement and entertainment can match this for endurance, struggle, attrition and patience. In the end the better team will win and to a fan it is exciting that this time it could be really close. The Poms (our endearing nickname for the English enemy) have a real chance with a team that is young, strong, fast and fit. The good guys, (in spite of off-field moral failure) Australia, are one of our greatest teams of all time. Although to be honest, quite a few are in their mid to late thirties and not the superstars they once were. So bring on the test and may the best team triumph!

But what is more important - a game or life? What are the real tests? What is more important - that a man can spin a leather ball or that a man can love a woman with faithfulness and integrity? Does it matter that future generations can tell of our batting style, or that future generations are loved and nurtured in faith and hope. The old book suggests there might be more important tests.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

These words are not limited to a few overpaid sporting freaks. These words apply to humans who live with the pain and struggles of life. These tests and trials go for more than 5 days. The question is not really about winning or losing. The question is about preserving with the strength and endurance that far outweighs youthful natural talent and an institute for sport.

Any earthly victory, in the end, is a crown that fades. Sport is a pale imitation of the tests and trials of the human condition. We do have fun with the distraction of sporting glory, but the ultimate glory and the eternal crown are not earned. They are the gift of a loving creator to his creation that responds in faith and love.

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