Re-posted blog from Sun, 06 Jul 2008
One morning before I left for our Juvenile Hall ministry, I watched the amazing Wimbledon men’s finals.
It was hard to tear myself away and meet with my brother for the services at the boys units. A couple thoughts shallowly planted now took root at the hall.
First, two of Federer’s admiring fans had held a sign up in the crowd that the camera’s picked up: “Perfect Roger”. The words volleyed in my mind. Roger has glimpses of perfect, I’m sure, as so many amazing athletes. But no one on this clay surface can be perfect…until we reach those pearly gates. We can be righteous through faith in Jesus as we stand in Him, covered by His robe of righteousness, through the gospel of grace. No, we cannot be perfect…until we are on the other side.
Recently I’d read from Hebrews 12:22-24, that the firstborn, those born again, whose names are written in heaven, were gathering in the Heavenly City at the place of righteous men made perfect to worship together—amazing to think as I left for church on this horizontal realm, my friends and family who live above were gathering in the celestial city with thousands upon thousands of angels to worship.
Then, watching a perfectly spun drop ball by Raphael, I had another glimpse of how God can come in and offset or jump-start anything He so desires. A gust of wind appeared pushing the ball over so it landed out—just at the time the ball was dropping.
“Where did that come from?” the announcer asked incredulously. We cannot account for the breezes and twists of time that can change our lives. We can do our best and it may be enough…or not. Enemies may scheme to harm us or seem to outdo us. But anything can happen given the God who changes times and seasons is on our side. If God be for us who can be against us?
As much as we can plan and do our best, the elements of life and chance can arise and make fortuitous twists of fate no one can control. That is why the Scripture says the race is not always to the swiftest…and so we must ask God to always keep the wind at our back and guide us in life through His Holy Spirit. By His mercy we may lose some battles, but we will win the war…and one day join the celestial throng in the courts of Heaven.