Hope - the key to sport and life
Andy Murray hoped to win Wimbledon for years. He finally did. What do you hope for?
In sport as in life, we all need hope. Without it, we can't go on.
Tennis Hope
The UK's Andy Murray has just won his first Wimbledon, the most famous of tennis tournaments. It's the first time in 77 years a Brit has won their national Grand Slam. The celebrations displayed the joy of realized hope, the fulfillment of what must have appeared almost impossible. But each year, you sensed Murray was getting closer and closer. Even his great mate, Novak Djokovic shared in the joy of the moment. It is a good season for the Brits, on top of their Lions rugby victory against the Australian Wallabies, their first series win in 16 years.
League Hope
Rugby league fans in Australia are hanging to see if New South Wales can finally end Queensland's 8 year run of series victories in the 3 match annual interstate State of Origin series. Queensland possess arguably the greatest ever provincial team with some of the greatest players in history. As close as NSW get, Queensland seem to always find a way to win the series. But we from the southern state are not without hope ... maybe this time!
Real Hope
In sport, you just have to hope your team can win! But no matter how much you want it, victory is never guaranteed in sport or in everyday life. It is Christian hope, on the other hand, that offers a real and true hope that we can count on. The Bible says:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
This hope is sure and certain, not wishful thinking, even when it seems impossible. It's not hope based on a sportsperson's ability, but on Jesus Christ:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
This is real hope, eternal hope. Thanks to having a victory prize which lasts forever, we can face all of life's challenges with optimism, trusting in Jesus all the way!
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