So, every year I approach the baseball season with optimism. I’m optimistic that the Rockies have a shot at the playoffs (not usually based on the quality of the team. Mainly because I just plain love ‘em.). I’m optimistic that I will go to at least five or six games (I’d go to all 81 if I had the money and time). I’m optimistic that there will be unforgettable moments and maybe, just maybe, this will be the year I catch a foul ball. I approach every season with hope. And even if the Rockies don’t meet my expectations, I will look forward to the following season with the same enthusiasm and excitement because, well, I how can I not?
This year I went to one Rockies game. I did not catch a foul ball. They finished last in the National League West, and only two teams in the Majors finished with fewer wins than the Rockies. The unforgettable moment was that they actually won the game I went to. All in all it was a very disappointing year for the team. To make matters worse, my other favorite team, the Seattle Mariners, also finished last in their Division. And yet, I have already developed a heart of anticipation for the 2013 season.
My love of baseball, the Rockies, the Mariners and my constant state of optimism regardless of year-after-year of not reaching the playoffs got me thinking about the Lord and His continuous, relentless hope and optimism for us; His kids. I began to ponder this fact: that even with knowing His first two children were going to fall into the trap of sin, thus ushering the human heart into a constant war of following Christ or following the world, He created them anyway, because His love for mankind went way beyond the logical or matters of what seems to make sense.
The fact that we’re still here tells me the Lord has to be the ultimate definition of optimism as He has not given up on us, even as we continue to live in a world seeped in chaos, turmoil and heartache. Yes, He already knows how the story ends. He isn’t surprised by anything we do and no outcome catches Him off-guard. Yet, His love for His creation is so vast, unfathomable and indescribable that He continues to cheer us on, root for us against all odds and beckon us into a greater life with Him. He has not lost hope in His sons and daughters. He could snap His fingers and end this whole thing. But His love for human beings stops Him; His love for human beings hung His Son on a cross when He could have said “I will just start over.” He does not let us go, even if we try to let Him go. No matter how often we find ourselves choosing the world instead of Him, He remains. He is in constant pursuit of His kids. His love for us is unfailing. He love for us is unchanging. He is for us. 🙂
