For 13 years, Clayton Kershaw has been thought of as one of the best pitchers in baseball. He's an eight-time All-Star, three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, and the 2014 National League MVP. But one fact remained: he never won a World Series title. Sports analysts and critics are quick to point to this during discussions of the best pitcher of all time, and many people have said over the years that Kershaw “chokes” in the post-season and that he couldn’t “win the big one.” Kershaw’s post-season ERA (4.19) is nearly two runs higher than his regular-season ERA (2.43). While the Dodgers’ lack of post-season success has had other factors, such as poor bullpen outings and lack of run support, Kershaw is the face of the franchise. He has carried the brunt of criticism for why his team hasn’t been able to bring a ring back to Los Angeles, despite winning their division the last eight seasons. Perhaps no image was more telling of the frustration in Los Angeles over lack of post-season success than the aftermath of Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS against the Washington Nationals. After entering the game in the eighth inning, Kershaw allowed home runs on two consecutive pitches to tie the game and the Nationals went on to win. Images of fans in Los Angeles burning Kershaw’s jersey in the Dodgers Stadium parking lot filled TV screens. It was another October, another failure, and many people thought Kershaw's best days were behind him. But last Monday, on the eve of his Game 1 World Series start, when asked how he would overcome his ghosts of October past, Kershaw surprisingly responded, “Every year is different.” He was absolutely right! Just because the Dodgers failed in the past, didn't mean they had to fail again. It was a new year and a new opportunity to win. On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays to become the World Series Champions for the first time since 1988 – the year Kershaw was born. When asked postgame if there were ever any moments that he doubted he would get here, Kershaw responded, “All those other years don’t make this any sweeter…those other years are done with and somebody else won the World Series and now we won the World Series, and it’s great.” In our own lives, we can go through multiple seasons of failure where we're unable to "win" with work, family, and relationships. When things continually go wrong and we make the same mistakes over and over again, we can easily become defeated, discouraged, and cynical. Then when we find ourselves in a similar spot (back in the World Series) where we failed in the past, we can buy the lie that this new opportunity or new relationship will fail just like it did before. However, we have to remind ourselves that "every year is different" and "those other years are done with," and we don't have to dwell on or repeat the previous failures. Because of God's grace and strength, we can break the cycle and pattern of failure and find victory. Proverbs 24:16 (NLT) says, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." Since we aren't perfect, failure is going to happen, but thankfully we don't have to give up or stay stuck. In the Bible, Paul acknowledges in Phillippians 3 that he hasn't reached perfection and writes, "...I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead..." Today, as we celebrate the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw overcoming past failures to experience victory, and prove this year was different, let's acknowledge that in Christ we can overcome. Although failure is part of our story, we are victorious and can confidently say, “Thanks be to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57; CEB). I’m Lexa Power and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for not trusting Your timing with everything and dwelling on past failures. Please help me to remember You're always there for me during every season of my life. I pray for the wisdom to turn to You during times of failure, and for the heart of gratefulness during seasons of success. I trust You'll never abandon me - win or lose - and give You thanks in all seasons. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Have you ever experienced a season of failure that felt like it would never end? Or, have you experienced God’s grace and the blessing of a victory you never thought would come?
In what ways have you grown in your faith that has changed your perspective on past failures and not having to repeat them?*Today's guest writer, Lexa Power, is a Dodgers fan celebrating their World Series victory. She is also a graphics producer for The Fantasy Show with Matthew Berry on ESPN+ and attends Shepherd of the Hills Church in Los Angeles, California.
Comments