The Washington Nationals are heading to the World Series after their 4-0 series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Keeping their momentum going with strong hitting and reliable pitching, it’s their first World Series berth in franchise history and comes during the season following the departure of their star player, Bryce Harper.
Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason for 13 years and $330 million. To think a team that lost a player of his caliber finds themselves four wins away from being the World Series champs is pretty incredible.
The question that’s now being raised is, “Did losing Harper become addition by subtraction for the Nationals?”
It’s easy to make a case when you consider the changes and opportunities that took place as a result of him leaving. They were able to spend the money they saved elsewhere which included signing free agent All-Star pitcher, Patrick Corbin.
Also, other players and especially the young outfielders were able to shine and step up with Harper out of the picture. In addition, this year’s team is known for being very tight-knit and enjoying playing together. There's obviously a special synergy helping to carry the Nationals right now.
Normally, we think it’s better to gain an elite player than lose one, but the Nationals are proving to be in a much better spot because of what they gained after losing Harper.
As we consider this “addition by subtraction” scenario, it can provide a parallel to the offer Jesus has given each of us.
He says in, Matthew 10:39 (AMP), “Whoever finds his life will lose it , and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it .”
Simply put, we gain true and lasting life when we let go of the temporary and unsatisfying life. It’s addition by subtraction!
In verse 38 of Matthew 10, Jesus explains what losing this life really looks like: “And he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”
Usually, we’re led to believe it’s better to gain as much as we can in this life, but the truth is when we lose our selfish life, we gain so much more. How amazing to experience the changes and opportunities that come when we lose what’s temporary...to gain what’s eternal.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please show me the things in my life I still need to let go. I pray I wouldn’t be so concerned with things of this world and trade my selfish life for the satisfying life found in You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What areas of your life do you need to lose in order to gain so much more?
Do you have examples of what you've gained because you lost?
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