This morning sports analysts and senior pastors all across the land (Texas ground zero) have turned their attention to the ALL important matters in this world, the college football playoff selection committee. They are set to announce their big decision of playoff teams at 11:30 CST.
The big conundrum being that there are six deserving teams, however only four will get their golden ticket punched. Two teams will be left out in the cold, separated as it were the sheep from the goats.
But alas, no worries for faithful Christians all across the land. Two of the teams are the chosen ones; the Baylor Baptist Bears and the Texas Christian Horn Frogs. Two out of six, aint’ bad earthly odds! With a few morning prayers from the pulpit, and God pulling a few levers, the Baptists or the Christians should prevail.
OK all that tongue in cheek, sort of!
The seed of the Gospel falls along the path; one in four takes root. The lepers are miraculously healed; one in ten returns to offer thanks. Jesus chooses twelve disciples; one flames out completely, one gets stage fright in the end! — Oh the games we can play with numbers and the odds.
Momentarily I board an airline flight to Atlanta. I suppose I will find out the outcomes of the football follies when I lannd! As I travel my odds are one in four. Now not that the plane will arrive safely (I sure pray it does) — HOWEVER one in four (25%) are the odds the experts calculate when it comes to making the “ask” for money to do ministry.
I do a lot of fundraising these days. Passions and people and providing ministry to those not in in anyone’s church doesn’t come with a built in paycheck (or for that matter health insurance). I knew that going in. The odds are that 82% of people given an invitation to attend church will turn it down. I have found that true. Interestingly though, I have found that 100% of people and places we have asked to do ministry (outside the walls of the church) have said yes! Pretty good odds, huh?
So it makes me wonder what prayers God is fielding today…a Bears bid…a Horn Frogs acceptance…or someone who is alone and in need today saying, “will someone help me”.
I echo the words of Isaiah, “…here I am Lord, send me”! I am praying for my trip to Atlanta and that I might bat better than .250 for the sake of the Kingdom!
Jim
