Oklahoma College’s softball group goes viral, not for his or her win over Florida State within the Ladies’s School World Sequence, however for his or her postgame interview about, none apart from — the King of Kings, Jesus.
I don’t comply with softball and didn’t know who these ladies have been earlier than this, however they out right here makin’ Jesus well-known and I’m right here for it! Within the postgame interview, ESPN requested them, “how do you retain the enjoyment of the sport?” Right here’s what they needed to say.
Actual Pleasure
The one means that you would be able to have a pleasure that does not fade away is from the Lord. — Grace Lyons
Grace nailed this! Due to loads us don’t perceive the distinction between happiness and pleasure. Happiness is circumstantial. It may possibly change by the point or scenario. However pleasure comes from inside. Our pleasure [in Christ] is connected to one thing and Somebody a lot higher than a circumstance or fleeting second (Romans 15.13).
What does this pleasure appear to be? It’s the enjoyment of figuring out that we’re saved in Christ (from everlasting penalty and destruction from our sin). It’s the enjoyment of figuring out that when this life passes away, we’ll be with Him perpetually and ever with no extra ache or struggling. It’s the enjoyment that each enemy we may ever face has been defeated by His energy. It’s the enjoyment from figuring out that it doesn’t matter what we’ve mentioned or carried out, God’s love for us is relentless and unmatched. It’s the enjoyment of figuring out that we’re completely cherished, and that in Him, we’re sufficient.
I used to be so glad that we received the faculty collection however I did not really feel pleasure. I did not know what to do the following day. I did not know what to try this following week. I did not really feel stuffed, and I needed to discover Christ in that. — Jayda Coleman
I believe one of many causes we frequently lose our hearth for Jesus (or by no means get it) is as a result of we enable happiness to compete with our pleasure. The one means we might be fulfilled and keep relentless for Jesus is by ensuring our pleasure is in the best place and Particular person.
Eyes Up!
“You possibly can’t discover success in an final result, whether or not it is good or dangerous.” — Alyssa Brito
“Fixing our eyes on Christ,” as Alyssa shared, is the founding precept right here at Keepin’ It Jesus, that’s, protecting our eyes to Him. Holding the principle factor, the principle factor (Jesus), amid a loud world that wishes us to take a look at and comply with any and every part else however Him. It additionally signifies that, like Jesus, we function with the everlasting in thoughts.
God has given us many issues to get pleasure from however even a very good factor can turn out to be a nasty factor if used outdoors of its correct time, means, and place; together with and particularly something that we elevate above God or put into His place (idolatry).
All too usually, and even with good intentions, we turn out to be fastened on an final result due to what it’ll carry or who it’ll assist. And typically we are able to focus a lot on an final result that we are able to’t be fulfilled with out it. So the result turns into a supply of success for us, perhaps briefly, perhaps completely. However outcomes, like happiness, are situational. They will change for or in opposition to us instantly. And even when we get the result we would like, we’re quickly onto the following one for our subsequent success.
It’s not unsuitable or dangerous to need or count on a desired final result. It’s good to have one thing to stay up for. All of us want that every single day. But it surely’s not Christ-centered to position an unhealthy quantity of hope and our final success in a circumstantial final result.
One of many issues God has been working with me on is studying to belief Him in all outcomes vs. trusting Him simply for an final result. Why? As a result of He’s Lord over all of the outcomes — good or dangerous. He holds all of them in His arms! And once we place our belief in Him for greater than only a singular final result, He takes care of the result and takes care of us irrespective of the way it seems.
Making Jesus well-known
We all know this recreation is giving us the chance to glorify God. As soon as we figured that out and that was our function and everybody was all in with that, it is actually modified a lot for us. … As soon as I turned to Jesus and I noticed how He had modified my outlook on life, not simply softball, however understanding how a lot I’ve to stay for. And that is dwelling to exemplify the Kingdom. And I believe that brings a lot freedom. — Alyssa Brito
As followers of Jesus, we don’t have a stage to make it about us. We have now a platform, a spot to mirror the methods of God. It’s not on your fame, it’s for His glory! Oh how usually we miss this… And the liberty that comes with it. Reality is, when God is in His correct place in our lives, we don’t must carry out for acceptance and validation. He loves us the place we’re and brings us as much as the place He’s (Ephesians 2.6).
There’s plenty of methods to go viral or turn out to be well-known right this moment, and many individuals dedicate ridiculous quantities of time to simply be seen. It’s exhausting tbh. However the one option to make Jesus well-known is to not simply give Him the credit score on platforms He’s given us, however to stay by His character and methods — exemplifying the Kingdom, publicly and privately. We’re human and we’re damaged, and we received’t at all times get it proper. However we have now to maintain Jesus the principle factor!
Jesus mentioned (talking in regards to the cross), that if He be lifted up, He would draw all folks unto Him (John 12.32). That’s true as effectively for once we raise Him up on our platforms, conversations, and areas. If we put on Him effectively, folks will see God for who He actually is.
If we even care about making Jesus well-known in any respect, we frequently don’t, making Him notorious as a substitute, by the methods we stay. However making Jesus well-known begins by dwelling by His requirements, by means of the character, methods, and mission of God.
The Nice Alternative
How superior it’s to play for one thing greater. Sure, I stay within the second, however this is not my residence. — Alyssa Brito
This proper right here! 🔥 Life begins once we understand that God has invited us into one thing a lot greater. We’re taking part in for one thing and Somebody a lot higher than ourselves or something that this world may supply, as a result of we understand, this isn’t our residence (Hebrews 13.14). That is the mission area. That is the Nice Alternative. We fulfill function by means of what we do (our vocation and time spent) however our function is a lot greater than *simply* what we do or a set final result.
Could we at all times bear in mind the true pleasure of the sport. Maintain the principle factor, the principle factor. Eyes to Jesus. ☝🏽👑
