“All I know most surely about morality and obligation I owe to football”,
Gladness
Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11The context is the return of God’s people from exile but I am sure the principles are relevant to all of us. Just 32 words but so rich in meaning! The starting point is to recognize that the LORD has rescued us. We have not been physically rescued but we are God’s redeemed people – saved from being lost and separated from God – though the death of Jesus.
The consequence is that we have a crown of everlasting joy. Sport brings moments of indescribable joy. (If you want to hear about my two golf holes in one, just ask!) The problem is that last year’s triumph can seem a long way off if you are not performing well this week.
I know an elite athlete who is always smiling. When I asked her about coping with ups and downs, she said she was really grateful to God for her talent and the chance to complete on the world stage – adding something like “why should I be miserable over a bad race?” Knowing that she had been rescued and that a crown of everlasting joy is already on her head helps her keep it in perspective.
Only God can do “everlasting”. Whatever records you hold and prizes you have won – and be thankful and celebrate them – will one day no longer be yours. A new champion will be crowned. The everlasting crown of joy is just that. It will never be taken away. Let that thought fill you with “gladness and joy” and let it banish “sorrow and sighing” today.