Cubs Win!

The Chicago Cubs won the World Series last night in one of the most epic and incredible sporting events of my lifetime. It was well worth staying up late to experience the excitement, uncertainty, momentum shifts, surprising home runs, and uncharacteristic pitching. As sports fans, we were totally spoiled with the game...and the outcome.

I’m thrilled that I was able to witness the Cubs end their 108-year drought, and win in dramatic fashion on the road, in extra innings, in a Game 7, and after a rain delay.

It was fun to see them come back after being down 3-1 in the series, and I was impressed with how they kept their composure when the Indians scored 3 runs to tie the game 6-6 in the 8th inning last night. Wow, what a game...what a series! My thought this morning centers around the 108 years that Cubs fans experienced season after season of losing. Last night’s win carries the weight that it does because of those 108 years. I can’t help but think about the number of times it was said, “The Cubs will never win the World Series again” or “The team is cursed” or “They are just loveable losers.” For so many years, the hope of turning things around was there, but to many, it felt impossible. They had experienced one too many heartbreaks, and doubt always seemed to linger. But last night, the impossible became possible...the hope was fulfilled...and the suffering turned to celebration!

 In our own lives, we’ve gone through droughts, we’ve had doubts, and we’ve experienced suffering. We’ve heard the comments from others or thought them ourselves, “You’ll never find a new job,” “You’ll never meet a wife,” “You’re never going to get healthy,” “You’re not good or smart enough,” or “You’re just a lovable loser.”

But, as followers of Jesus, we have hope in someone who strengthens us to overcome the droughts, the doubts, and the suffering. We serve an almighty, all-powerful, and all-knowing God who is in control. When situations seem impossible, He provides a way. Some things won’t happen the way we thought they would or when we wished they would, but our hope is still found in Him. He can redeem any circumstance, break all curses, and completely restore brokenness. When things seem bleak, we still believe because we know God is capable. We trust that no matter what, we are His and fully loved.

In Matthew 19, Jesus talks about how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but shares this great truth in verse 26: "Jesus looked at them intently and said, 'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.'”

Last night was another reminder of how sports provide opportunities for the impossible to happen. However, I hope today we are encouraged to know that God is bigger than sports and His power is revealed in our own lives. Whatever is weighing on us today, we can be assured that a solution is possible. With God’s power at work, circumstances change, people are transformed, the sick are healed, miracles do happen, and suffering turns to celebration. With God everything is possible...and we can never give up hope! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know You hold the world in Your hands and You are sovereign overall. Help me not to lose faith, but trust that all things are possible because of You. Even when things don’t turn out how I think they should help me to remember You are still working, and in the end, I will experience eternity with You - the celebration I can't wait for! In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.