The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions for the second time in five seasons.
Though there were some exciting individual games during the series, the Dodgers ultimately dominated a loaded New York Yankees team, winning baseball's grand prize in a mere five games.
Star first baseman Freddie Freeman took home MVP honors for the Dodgers, wrapping up the Fall Classic with a .300 batting average, four homers, and 12 RBIs. Included in that statistical total is his game-winning walk-off grand slam in Game One, undoubtedly one of the most iconic moments in World Series history.
Freeman's performance would have been impressive regardless of the circumstances. Yet, it becomes even more remarkable when you consider the litany of painful injuries he was battling for the duration of the series.
While putting together a performance to remember, Freeman was simultaneously grimacing his way through a sprained right ankle, broken costal cartilage in his rib, and lingering soreness from a fractured finger. Freeman likely should have been watching the World Series from the bench instead of being the most impactful player on the diamond.
But at the end of the day, Freeman's adversity was well worth it due to the final results.
He commented, "I gave myself to the game, to the field. I did everything I could to get onto that field. And that's why this is really, really sweet. I'm proud of the fact that I gave everything I could to this team, and I left it all out there."
For Freeman, the suffering and pain he endured made the World Series win and his MVP trophy all the more satisfying.
As followers of Jesus, we know that suffering, pain, and difficulties are a part of our pilgrimage here on earth. Being a Christian doesn't exempt us from challenging and unpleasant temporal circumstances.
But what if we commonly have a wrong perspective regarding the difficult times we encounter during our fleeting time on this planet? What if our temporary suffering in the here and now is the very thing that will make our eternity with Jesus all the sweeter when we see Him face to face?
In one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:18 (ESV), "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
When Freddie Freeman endured his pain to play in the World Series, he did so, not knowing whether or not his agony would lead to triumph for his team.
How much better do we have it as followers of Jesus when we have certainty and confidence that any short-term pain we experience will unquestionably culminate in ultimate victory?
Knowing that our suffering is purposeful and temporary, we can endure trials and hardships joyfully as we await our future experiences with confident expectations.
Revelation 21:4 (NASB) tells us, "And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
As we walk through life's challenging situations, may we be so encouraged by the future glory that awaits us that we are motivated to navigate the pain and suffering in a way that glorifies God by demonstrating that He is our greatest treasure.
Today, let's take our eyes off what we see and focus on what we do not see. Let's shift our perspective and choose to be joyful about the future that awaits us in Christ so that we can best glorify Him in our suffering.
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for being sovereign over my suffering. Please help me keep my eyes fixed on You so that I might bring You glory no matter what I face. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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