Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
It almost seems humorous now…and in some twisted sense of reality…I guess it was. I couldn’t believe my eyes. One of the earthquakes from the corona virus was the total disruption of sports. I’m not a big sports guy but I do have my favorites. I really enjoy college football and I remember being shocked that several conferences did not play in the fall of 2020. I remember telling several folks that I’m not sure you can even have fall without college football. I found out that we could.
I was surely surprised when March Madness went by the wayside that year. Once again, I like college ball because for the most part it is sports at its purest. I knew things were pretty serious when they cancelled this spring classic. We all said there is always next year…and there was but some just refused to wait. Enter professional sports. It seems from where I sit that so many of the professional sports are about money and not about the love of whatever game they are playing.
When professional sports started trying to come back, I was amused to what extent the leagues went to get it going. There was the NBA (National Basketball Association) bubble thing in Orlando—and I’m really not sure what that was about, the NHL (National Hockey League) and their attempt to have a kinda, sorta, season and playoffs. NASCAR (I’m not sure what all that stands for, but I do like what they stand for) did a little better. Finally, and then, there is the MLB or Major League Baseball. That year they played a 60-game season and then some kind of playoff system crowned with a sorta, kinda world series.
I remember one MLB game that year at my son-in-law’s house. I remember one of the teams was the Philadelphia Phillies and the game was being played in their park. Here’s where it gets interesting. First, as we watched this game, they had filled the entire lower level of the stadium with cardboard fan look-a-likes. If I remember this correctly people paid to have their picture sitting in these seats. It gets better.
So, there were the lower stands stuffed to the gills with fake people and then to complete the “ruse” they piped in fake crowd noise to go along with the fake people. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person going, “what?” I’m not sure what the purpose of all that was but one thing is certain—it was not real. I am sure that was perfectly fine in those crazy times. In fact, now that I think about it, it was probably perfectly normal for those crazy times.
The mask thing is finally and mostly in the rearview mirror…or is it? I mean the paper and cloth masks much fewer but what about another kind…the kind people wear when they are uncomfortable with who they are or what people might think of them? What about the kind people where when they feel the need to hide behind something or pretend to be something they are not? Like an actor on a stage, they simply are playing a part. I get that because people can be harsh and judgmental. But let me share something that just might help. There is a God who loves you unconditionally and He is waiting for you to come and join His family. Once He becomes your Father, no amount of failure, no amount of sin can separate you from Him. It gets better.
Not only will He love you unconditionally, but He is also comfortable with the way He made you. You don’t need to pretend; you don’t need to disguise—you can be you. And when you mess up, ask and He will forgive you. When you are lonely, He will always be there. When you are afraid, He will be your Mighty Warrior and when you need to be real—you can be. He will be your BFF—your best friend forever—literally. So, weary one, come to Jesus. He tells us that if we come to Him, He will give us rest. And when we are facing the giants of our past, our todays or our tomorrows—He is big enough. After all, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 