#redeemtion

Hey Guys,

 It’s pretty fun to watch a few of my close friends connect to baseball in ways that go beyond baseball and the sports pop culture. You are all great father’s and friends. My encouragement to you is to allow this postseason to be a way of blessing your children and friends with relationship. I know it’s often hard to see the Kingdom of God in all things, and sports are often overshadowed by self marketed egos that leave many people disgusted more than impressed by the human spirit. However, some of my most memorable moments with my family have been around our sports teams and the historic moments (wins and losses) that made us come together and love each other. 

Yes, I think God is a sports fan. In fact, I will go as far as saying, I think He is a Royals fan. He just wants us to use sports in ways that will glorify Him. I love this quote from a blog post titled: “KC Masterpiece” by Randy Jazayerli: “The Royals’ failures became as much a testament to the value of sabermetrics as did the A’s success. To paraphrase Voltaire: If the Royals hadn’t existed, we would have had to invent them. But we didn’t have to invent them, they existed, and I knew this because they were my team.” 

Although i struggle to think that God might have made the Royals win, I do think their win was designed to be a redeemable moment for families and friends to connect and enjoy one another.  For instance, everyone in this picture, for a moment is emotionally fixated on the same thing together and therefore unified. It wasn’t invented. It was created.

That is God’s redemptive mission since the first family fell in Genesis 1.  If by Him "all things were created” (Col. 1:16), then even baseball’s ultimate intent is to bring us into a reconciled relationship with others and therefore give Him glory. Wow. That was hard to say, but “all things” isn’t “some things” or God’s Word is not accurate. Randy is right, the Royals were not invented but created. I would finish that by saying, “The Royals were not invented, but created for relationship." I know this may seem like a huge stretch for some, including myself. For instance, as I write this to you I’m telling myself “this is stupid and almost blasphemous! God is bigger than baseball!”  Exactly, baseball is simply pointing us to something even bigger. Being Royals fans, maybe you might agree. However, it's alright with me if you think this is bad theology.

My point: enjoy the Playoffs and use it as a way to connect to those you love. God really does want you to. 

Your Friend,

Donnie

Ps. Although I have not been an avid Royals fan since I was 15 and could name every player on the roster and their batting average, I am a fan of you guys. I am rooting for the Royals because I want to hear your stories after they win the World Series.