EXPECT A MIRACLE
Just an observation about the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Sure seems like there is some interesting favor this season!
The 2021 NCAA Sweet 16 has two interesting Cinderella stories developing with No. 61 seed Oral Roberts University and No. 55 seed Abilene Christian University still in the dance. What do they have in common?
In one word “Jesus”.
Coincidence? Possibly, Possibly Not.
There were other Christian faith based universities, like Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, that made the big dance, but lost this week. They were both undeniably blessed with favor. I am confident that both of these programs and their head coaches focus intentionally on representing Christ.
There is also the Sister Jean and Loyola Chicago story that seems worth of taking a double take. The good Sister, now 101 years old, has shown the same sort of resiliency as the players. She reached an agreement with the university last week to travel to Indianapolis, drawing on the biblical parable of an old woman in the Gospel of Luke who petitions a judge to grant her wishes until he eventually concedes, saying, “Let her do what she wants.”
Sister Jean, in her role as chaplain, addressed the team on Sunday morning as she always does beforehand. This year, though, it has been by videoconference. Her message included a scouting report — that the Illini make only half of their shots near the rim and a third of them from the 3-point line. All those rebounds would be an opportunity, so grab them. Were her scouting reports always so prescient? “Not always,” she conceded. “But I study the box score. I told them to watch No. 1, No. 11 and No. 21.”
Last, but far from least, is the No. 2 seed Baylor Bears. The Bears are no Cinderella, but Coach Drew and his boys represent our Savior well. I have been at a practice, and know some of their coaches. I know who they play for.
Although No. 1 seed Gonzaga University may not be a faith based University, but last year they did hire a friend of mine assistant coach Roger Power, who carries the nickname “The Rev”. I can promise you the Zags added favor from above when they added Roger to their locker room!
Is this all coincidence? I don’t care if you think I’m crazy. My response is no. I absolutely believe God’s Hand is involved in everything including this! I have seen it over and over again.
Oral Robert stood strong on his decree “Expect a Miracle”. Roberts added. Miracles were always happening in the Bible because people were expecting them to happen. They were looking for them to happen. They were believing God for them to happen. People expected God to stretch out His mighty hand and display His supernatural power in their lives. They opened their hearts to His miracle-working power, and miracles happened!
Our playoff run to the NAIA Sweet 16 this season included multiple game winning three point miracles. We also enjoyed a couple eye opening upset blowouts of higher seeds where we simply could not miss. I believe observers saw uncommon favor.
One of the many things that we focused on during this past post season was having our Expectations equal our Will. When this occurs, you open up the door for a Miracle. That is as long as it is God’s Will you are focusing on and not your own. I go back to the powerful point, some believe God can, few believe He Will!
Many quote “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength.” I believe the people who often see that verse come to reality, are the ones that believe, “I WILL DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH”! When your “Will” in that verse matches your expectations, then you can start Expecting a Miracle!
Photo by Andre Gorham II on Unsplash