Are You as Faithful As A Diehard Fan?

I am not a big sports fanatic, but don’t mind watching sports and enjoying the game. I usually just cheer for whatever team my husband is rooting for. Watching the sports fans this baseball season made me think about teamwork, loyalty, faith, and hope. Most people will call themselves diehard fans of whatever team they love. They usually inherit their team from their parents, region, or neighborhood that they grew up in. My husband has been ingraining in the minds of our children that they are White Sox Fans since before they could talk. In Chicago, usually if you are from the South Side, you are a Sox fan and if you are from the North side, you are a Cubs fan. People are very passionate about their teams and usually don’t support both. So as the Cubs went to the playoffs this season, I watched as the Sox fans stood in doubt that the Cubs could do it and also saw how the Cub fans had no doubt that their beloved Cubs would win. The Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908, but year after year fans put their faith in their team. All these years of their hearts being broken from failure and they never lose faith. They always put their hope in the next season. They stay loyal to the team of their youth and of their fathers. They will not tolerate anyone bad talking or disrespecting their team. It made me think of marriage. Am I that loyal to Team Rimpson? Do I believe that we can make it through this season in victory? If we are going through a bad season do I give up hope and want to switch teams or do I stick with it knowing that next season we will do better. Am I talking bad and disrespecting my team or letting someone else do so? Am I passionate about my marriage succeeding and being an example that others can root for? Am I allowing nonfans from the peanut gallery to sway my opinions and get me discouraged? Marriage is the greatest team that we will ever have. Just like sports players, we have to work hard at our position. We have to be in flow with one another. If my husband is pitching then I must be at first base waiting to get the enemy out. If my husband is batting then I need to be cheering him on for a homerun, but also ready to bat next and get on base, and prepared with faith and encouragement in case he strikes out. Every season won’t be our best, but we must regroup go over what worked and what didn’t, and strategize new plays for the next season. We can’t fire our coach (if our couch is Jesus). We need to listen for His instructions and follow His playbook (the Bible).

1 Peter 4:8-11
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Hebrews 10: 23-24
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

God is the owner of our team (marriage). He has placed us together to be as one and win for the glory of his Kingdom. Let’s win one for Jesus!

Father, we thank You in the name of Jesus for our spouse. Forgive us for not always believing in our team and doing what it takes to win. Help us stay committed, faithful, loyal, diligent, and forgiving. Give us hope to endure and perseverance to get through every season. We want to be a team that operates as one giving glory to You in everything that we do. Fill us with Your joy that gives us strength and let Your strength be made perfect in our weakness. We understand that when we win, we make Your name great. We declare victory in our marriages. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!