Victory!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. --Hebrews 12:1-2a

(Oh, dear. It's been nearly a month since I posted anything. I am wondering if I even remember how to write. It's been that kind of season.)

I grew up in Denver, during the years when the Broncos were definitely not the team they are today. The team rallying cry? "Wait till next year!" And we waited and waited and waited. It took a while, but the patience and perseverance paid off.

Now, I live near Cleveland, Ohio. It takes a strong stomach and Teflon spirit, sometimes, to be a sports fan in this town. Browns, Indians and Cavaliers. All really fun to watch-- and all of them, expert heart-breakers.

Ours are the teams jokes and movies are made of.  Major League? Yep. That "Wild Thing" character was a Cleveland Indians closer. For ten years, I worked for the Indians. I saw a lot of baseball, and some of it was really good. And then there was the rest. 

Through it all, hope springs eternal. We seek out other diehard fans, we listen for the heart that believes, the one that whispers, "They look pretty good this year . . ." as the words trail off in hope-filled silence and a sigh. We so want to believe. We so want to press on, cheer valiantly for the whole season-- but sometimes it's really hard. Sometimes-- well, you know. 

This last weekend was a sweet one for Cleveland sports fans. 

The Cleveland Browns managed a solid victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, in the Battle for Ohio. Not just a victory-- a Cincy victory! Football fans were really dancin' the happy dance.

But my heart was with the Indians. One hundred sixty-two games. A long, long season. And they finished by winning ten in a row to get their first shot at post-season play since 2007. 

That's perseverance. That is what it looks like and feels like to press on. It's a marathon, and there have been potholes and stumbling blocks-- but through it all, the Tribe pressed on, through injuries, near-misses and more. 

At any time, the team could have given up. Instead, they leaned on one another. One pitcher might have a rough start, but the first baseman would swing a hot bat and carry the team to victory. Strong carried weak, because all were seeking the same prize. And even as we don't yet know whether we can make it all the way to the World Series, we can rest in the knowledge that we have run the race, played well and played strong.

And that is all that the Almighty expects of any of us.

I am not a sports star. I cannot run with any speed or much grace, and have joked that if you see me running, whatever is chasing me must be pretty big, hairy and drooling. I am just not a runner. That's not who I am.

But I can write. And I can encourage you as you run your race. Together, we can accomplish much, just being who we were created to be. 

The apostle Paul writes about the Body of Christ being made of many parts (1 Corinthians 12). He reminds us that an eye cannot be an ear; nor can a hand be a stomach. Each part does what the Designer created it to do, and in that way, God is glorified.

Look, it can be tempting to think, "Oh, no one really cares if I ___________ or not." But the thing is, if your "piece of the puzzle" is missing, the picture is incomplete. The landscape just isn't the same. 

The race of life, however long, is run one step at a time. If you're struggling today, allow others to come alongside and carry you for a time. If you are running strong and sense another is stumbling, offer a hand.

We are all in this together. Thank God.

Gracious God, even you longed for companionship in the Garden. Help us to remember, always, that we are never alone. Guide us to the spaces and places you would have us be-- together. Amen

P. S. Go Tribe!!!!