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It’s that thing that I wait for at the beginning of every season – I wonder how many sports participants, fans, and even the casual observer wait for it too. I liken it to getting a new car and pulling out onto the road there is so much joy and anticipation, but in the back of your mind something lingers. Something isn’t right…

Then it happens – the first rock chip, scratch, dent, or ding on the new car. No! It’s almost like we can’t believe what has just happened – perfection ruined, buyers remorse,

“What have I done?” “Can we start over? How could I have avoided that?”

Many times that is the feeling that surrounds that first damage to the car and the first team loss of the year.

Until it comes, anything is possible: championships, trophies, awards, accolades, galore.

When it comes, it is almost like there is a huge relief of pressure. “Okay, we are human.”

 

Herein exists the tension – we desire perfection, but if we desire it too strongly it will dominate and master us until we are driven insane. On the flip side, we can become despondent when realizing that perfection cannot be attained and, so, what’s the use of trying? So what remains – how do we exit, how do we dwell in the tension of striving for perfection?

I find comfort in the words of Apostle Paul to the church in Colosse:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”  (Colossians 3:23-24)

Imagine – if we work as though we are working for God, and we leave the results in His hands, we will not only give of our best, but we will receive something that is lasting and of value – an inheritance.

When the Colorado Rapids went on to win the MLS Cup championship in 2010, the first loss of the season came in the third game of the year – had the team stopped and fretted over missing the mark of perfection they wouldn’t have gone on to achieve what they did. However, if they had given up, if they had stopped striving and working (for even a moment), they also wouldn’t have gone on to win the final game.

So let’s be thankful – for first losses and all that come with them. May we continue to do and give our best in service to God.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney