A Great Victory But Does Anyone Care?

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2002
(Acts 28:27)

"For your hearts are too fat and your ears don't listen and you have closed your eyes against understanding, for you don't want to see and hear and understand and turn to me to heal you."

A great victory but does anyone care? Yesterday morning, the United Sates soccer team won the greatest World Cup victory ever for this nation by defeating Portugal 3-2 in South Korea. As outstanding as this victory was, soccer has never been very popular in the United States and other than the minority who love the game and hard core sports fans, this accomplishment went largely unnoticed by most in our nation.

As I watched the game unfold, saw the great victory, I realized that very few would really be affected by this win because they simply don't care. Immediately, I though about the GREATEST victory in human history when Jesus Christ ROSE out of His grave three days after being crucified on a Roman cross. The accounts of that great victory has now been told for over 2,000 years, but still there are literally billions worldwide that simply don't care.

For those in the United States who love the game of soccer, they have tried for decades to get the nation to fall in love with the game. Despite their efforts, and great strides they have made, it is still largely a game most Americans don't embrace, despite it being the most popular sport on the planet. These ambassadors of soccer have worked tirelessly to promote their sport, but most in our nation simply do not care.

Sadly this is like those ambassadors of our Lord who give their lives daily to share the hope, the love, the Good News of Jesus with the lost and hurting. Of course, those who decline to embrace soccer are simply making a choice which affects how they spend their leisure time. Those who decline to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are making an eternal choice.

I love you and care about you so much. As an American, I was proud of our team that in the past has not done very well in International soccer competition, especially the World Cup that is held every 4 years. I hope that the big win helps those who love that sport get more people involved. But it was also a HUGE reminder to me that every day people choose to ignore Jesus, choose to ignore the fact that one day this brief journey will be over, and choose to ignore that each one of us will choose in our lifetime where our eternity will be spent. Just as those who dedicate their lives to sharing the benefits of the sport of soccer with others, how much more must those who know Jesus Christ be passionate about sharing the benefits of our faith with others?

People all over the world will have their eyes fixed on Korea and Japan over these coming weeks as the World Cup matches are played. Much attention will be focused on soccer as people support their national teams. The fact is, as great as the game of soccer is, as great an event as the World Cup is, we must never miss any opportunity to share with the hurting and lost in our world that a man named Jesus loves them, cares for them, and died for their sins so that they might have everlasting life!

I pray today that as passionate as we are about our sports, those other interests we have in this life, we will be even more passionate about our love for the Lord and for other people. As great as it is to share the good news of a big sports victory, how much greater is it to be able to share the Good News of the BIGGEST VICTORY in human history?

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at bkeller@liveprayer.com.

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