Last night, the playoffs for Major League Baseball began with a single-game wild-card matchup in the National League between the Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite entering the eighth inning down 3-1, the Nationals won 4-3 in a very exciting game. With the bases loaded, they went on to score three runs in the 8th on one big hit from Juan Soto.
Fired up to get the win, the Nationals celebrated with passion in the locker room afterward. But as awesome as it is to win a wild-card game and move onto the NLDS, they’re just getting started and have to keep the momentum going when they travel to LA tomorrow to take on the Dodgers.
With that in mind, Eddie Matz's ESPN.com article asks a fair question with this headline: “Nationals Riding High, But Will it Last Against the Powerhouse Dodgers?”
The Nationals' players and fans are filled with positive emotions after experiencing a playoff win and there is no question everyone is feeling good and energized.
But, they face a bigger test against the Dodgers and it will soon be revealed whether or not this team has the depth and necessary foundation to withstand what is coming next.
I find there is a parallel in our own spiritual journeys when we have a great experience with God where we powerfully sense His presence. Maybe it’s during a moving church service or a big event...or at a camp or wedding ceremony...or while witnessing the birth of a child.
In these moments we know God is real and we desire to really follow Jesus, but then life starts to get tough, we get distracted, and it's revealed that our faith isn’t deeply rooted.
We lack the “depth and necessary foundation to withstand what is coming next.” We found ourselves “riding high” and before we know it, our passion and excitement fade.
Jesus shares a parable describing this in Matthew 13:3-6 (ESV):
"And He told them many things in parables, saying: 'A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
"Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.'”
Jesus' explanation of what the parable of the sower means regarding the rocky ground is described in Matthew 13:20-21 (NIV):
“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.”
The Nationals won last night and experienced great joy, but trouble could be around the corner as they face the likes of Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Will their excitement last or quickly fall away?
More importantly, have we allowed the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to deeply penetrate our hearts, minds, and lives? Instead of our faith being just a one-time experience, is it a daily encounter with the living God?
We know trouble in all forms will come, so a deep faith in God and His Word is what will last.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) paints this picture:
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to have a deep faith that is rooted in Jesus and Your Word. I pray I would delight in You and find continuous joy, regardless of my circumstances. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Have you experienced mountain top experiences with God?
Why are they important to the development of our faith?
How do you remain deeply rooted following that big moment?
Is anything holding you back from a deeper faith?
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