Daily Devotions
The Victorious Losers
Title: The Victorious Losers
Reading for June 16: Psalms 62-68
Weekly reading for June 10-16: 1 Corinthians 1-6
We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
1 Corinthians 4:13
We walked off the soccer field victorious, but you wouldn't know it by the reaction of the crowd. The losing team was jubilant and celebrated like they had just won the championship. Our team was bigger, faster, stronger, and more talented. We controlled the ball from beginning to end. We had more goals, but we couldn't break the game open. Their defenders fought hard. Their goalie (the shortest kid on the field) made heroic stops throughout the match. Their coach barked and shouted words of encouragement throughout. They fought with guts and determination from the first whistle to the very end. When the final whistle blew their coach shouted victoriously. There were high fives and slaps on the back all around. The parents couldn't have been more proud of their team who never gave up.
This is just like the kingdom of heaven. We are the losers. We're not strong. We're not mighty. We're not successful by worldly standards. We're the players the other side wouldn't take. We're poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted (Matthew 5:3-11). Not many of us are wise, powerful, or noble (1 Corinthians 1:26). We're a spectacle to the world, and we're considered fools (1 Corinthians 4:9-10).
But our Coach is not ashamed. He couldn't be more proud of his team. As we get slaughtered, he stands on the sideline grinning from ear to ear. He is happy to claim us as his team. He didn't get stuck with us because he picked last in the draft. We are the rejects, but he chose us anyway (1 Peter 2:4, 9-10).
We don't care what the score is. We know we're losers, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is what our Coach thinks of us. As long as we make it to the final whistle and be received by him with open arms, that's all that matters. All we want is to hear him say, "Well done!" (Matthew 25:21, 23)
You have chosen us, Father, when no one else wanted us. We only pray we will make you proud by giving you our best.
