March Madness

   Yes, today is one of the best days in sports on the whole calendar, the start of March Madness. Brackets will be busted. Cinderella stories will be written. Usually, juggernauts will eventually reign. It is a big day for Colorado basketball, as the Buffaloes make the field for the first time since 2003. Tad Boyle, the head coach who has rebuilt a once-struggling program, summed up CU's mission by saying, "We've got to stay humble and hungry." He is talking about not letting success go to their head, to know their strengths but realize their vulnerabilities.

     There is an arena in which this mindset is infinitely more valuable. In living the Christian life, no matter what roles we play in the church, we must remember to stay humble and hungry. Pride and apathy may be polar opposites, but they are equally deadly. With pride, we have an inflated view of self. Yet, God roundly condemns arrogance as wickedness. It is one of the things God hates (Prov. 6:17). He resists it (Prov. 3:34). It may be unattractive to us, but it is repulsive to Him! Paul understood that in and of himself he was nothing, but his power and ability came through Christ who strengthened him (Phil. 4:13).

     Equally damaging is the spiritual lethargy that displays a "couldn't care less" attitude toward God's Word and the Christian's work. This comfortable, lukewarm approach to spirituality makes God sick (Rev. 3:15-17). People are dying lost. Many are struggling with temptation, doubt, and fear. Good works wait in the wings for eager, zealous people of God (Ti. 2:14).

     Consistently, the New Testament likens Christianity to athletics and competition. Among the needed qualities of the "competitors" is enthusiasm (Rom. 12:11) and humility (1 Pet. 5:5). Winning (the crown of life) means everything, so run to win (1 Cor. 9:24). --Neal Pollard