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LESSONS FROM T-20 CRICKET WC VICTORY AND BEYOND…
Even as, Hardik Pandya displaying great mental fortitude bowled the last over of T-20 WC Finals…ball by ball…
steadily the Indian Cricket fans’ expectations’ were going up. Finally the UP, UP AND AWAY supernal moment arrived
when the last ball was bowled and South Africans were restricted to 169 in pursuit of the Indian total of 176.
It was no surprise that cracker sounds were heard perhaps in every Indian street as the Indian Cricket aficionados
started celebrating nationally the great Indian WC Victory. Yes, the entire nation of India rose as one man to
applaud the Captain courageous Rohit Sharma and his troops for the title triumph.
Now are there spiritual lessons to be gleaned from this momentous victory? Certainly…here goes…
Jubilation
Even as we are all rejoicing at the paramount triumph, has it ever occurred to us the Christian pilgrims that
we can also contribute to a heavenly celebration, by playing a role in leading the sinners to the Savior?
Consider this well known Scripture portion “cut” from the familiar Prodigal Son parable, where a doting,
forgiving Father’s equivalent is our own righteous, gracious Heavenly Father and His “home”, Heaven…
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him.
Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,
for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. -
Luke 15:22-24
Is the knowledge of the fact, that all of Heaven rejoices
(Luke 15:7)
when “one sinner” comes “home”, putting a spring in our feet, when it comes to Gospel sharing
(Romans 10:15)?
When it comes to Gospel sharing, it would serve us well to remember ONE cardinal truth. The truth is that since Gospel
sharing can be done broadly amongst only two “DIFFICULT” groups (I would come to that point shortly),
NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN EVER BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT HIS POWER. It needs no reiteration that if to us
belongs the responsibility of sharing the Gospel
(I Cor 15:1-4
defines the Gospel oh-so-lucidly) and then to
the Holy Spirit belongs the role of touching the needy one’s heart. The “needy” one is EVERYONE living without the Saviour.
Here it needs to be told unequivocally THAT THE BIGGEST SIN IS NOT TRANGRESSING ANY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BUT LIVING LIFE
ON ONE’S OWN TERMS KEEPING THE CREATOR OF EVERY CELL AND EVERY DROP OF BLOOD IN OUR BODIES AT AN ARM’S LENGTH! Talk of a
tenant living as though the house is his, to the utter dismay of the Landlord
(Psalm 24:1 Job 41:11)!
By instinct alone, many know God exists
(Romans 1:19)
but the problem with these souls is the doubt dogging them “is He worthy to be trusted” “will I not lose out on all the fun,
the World gives, if I seek God”. My answer is taste Him and see that God is good
(Psalm 34:8)
and in due course, one would also realize that the good Lord gives “richly all we need for our enjoyment”
(Romans 12:2/ I Tim 6:17).
At the supernatural level, as directly relaying the Gospel to a sinner ethereally through a direct Divine-human “one on one”
communication mode would deprive a sinner of taking the leap of faith, which is oh-so-necessary in the matter of Salvation
(believing/acting without seeing with a naked eye is FAITH), the Master depends on His stewards who are “enjoying Him”
to be carriers of the Gospel to the sin-infested World. Oh yes, only once in this age of human history, after the end of
the Grace dispensation (during the second phase of 7-year terrible tribulation to be more precise), would an angel be used
to convey the Eternal Gospel
(Rev 14:7-8).
Now coming to the two “DIFFICULT” categories of people to whom, we can possibly reach with the Gospel-an exercise which needs
“INVESTMENT OF TIME”. If in the first category belong those whom we meet regularly (our co-students, office colleagues,
family members etc), the second category are those whom, we may meet only once in a while
(our fellow plane, long-journey bus/rail passengers etc). While the former to be influenced would need us to not only to
SPEAK BUT ALSO LIVE OUR FAITH day in and day out, which can be accomplished only by His strength
(John 15:4),
then the latter would need to see THE URGENCY IN OUR DEMEANOR AND EARNESTNESS OF THE MESSAGE in the few hours we may be with them
(a la Phillip –
Acts 8:26-39),
which too can be accomplished only by His power. Oh how true the words of our Lord “…FOR WITHOUT ME, YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING”
(John 15:5).
Yes, I agree that after all our earnest, Holy Spirit powered Gospel sharing efforts, we may probably find only one out of every four
souls with a prepared, ploughed heart where the seed of the Gospel would take root
(Matt 13:1-9 / 18-23)
immediately. I also concur that only those whom the Father “attracts” would eventually accept the Saviour
(John 6:44).
Since we do not have any spiritual “x-ray” equipment to discern as to which out of “every four hearts” is “GOOD SOIL” and who is the blessed
“Chosen one”, we need to “sow the Gospel seed” fervently in EVERY Christ less “soil”, we come across, with a hope that the Ethereal seed would
take root, if not immediately… that it ultimately would at least in due course of time
(Mark 4:26-29).
Pray tell me, mate have you “batted for the Gospel” with the Savior power, of late and set-off a joyous heavenly celebration or two?
Nothing quite like being a party to the heavenly party, you see!
Exemplification
That the Indian Captain Rohit Sharma with his consistent batting led from the front is not an understatement (he was one of the leading scorers),
now most importantly has it occurred to us that the Captain of our salvation
(Heb 2:10 KJV)
too leads from the front!!!
It is said of a true leader, He not only shows the way, he not only leads the way but Himself goes the way first. Not only in the matter of
Salvation, WHICH HE ALONE COULD AND WOULD SECURE FOR MANKIND by “going into the middle of the action”(Note: Jerusalem is said to be in the middle
of the known World during Ezekiel’s time-Ezekiel 5:5) but in all matters of God-pleasing life, Jesus principle was NOT “practice what you preach”,
good as it is, but a more commendable one: “PRACTICE AND THEN ONLY PREACH”. Note in the following Scripture portion
(Acts 1:1),
it is said that our Lord first “DID” and then only “Taught”.
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach”. No wonder, even before He preached a single sermon,
a Divine commendation came His way “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” -
Matt 3:17,
affirming that He was first “fleshing out” His Sermon on the Mount, even before He had actually preached it.
Yes, this exemplary Jesus stands not only in the middle of human history (calendars are dated based on His birth), He is keen to come right
into the middle of your lives. Without meddling carelessly with God’s will for you, how about MAKING IT CENTRAL (MIDDLE) TO YOUR LIVES?
Expedition
Noteworthy feature of batting in T-20 Cricket is the display of urgency in it so much so one can say that speed is the key to
success in this “Instant” game. Coming to the spiritual realm, want to know secret behind the success of the first servant in
the parable of the talents
(Matt 25:14-30)?
“The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.”
(vs 16 NIV).
Now what are the key operative words in the afore-referred Scripture portion? At once, the answer would be AT ONCE!
In the matter of salvation, it is said do not postpone receiving Christ into your life to the eleventh hour, you may die at 10.30
(Heb 9:27/ 2 Cor 6:1-2)!
For those who have already received the Savior into their lives, in any God-assigned responsibility, be it evangelical,
pastoral or any socio-spiritual, inter-personal challenge like forgiving one another, letting go of anger et al
(Matt 5:23-34/Eph 4:26-27),
they need to show urgency, “not leaving it to the last minute”.
… “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” …was the instruction to Philip! Did Philip obey
AT ONCE or put it off? YES, he obeyed instantly and as he ran (not easy in a desert road) history was being made
(Acts 8:26-40).
That Ethiopian official would go on to establish the Ethiopian Church! Say, Pal do you need to do something AT ONCE…
DETERMINATION
At one stage, South Africa needed just 30 runs in all of 30 balls with full 6 wickets in hand. The Propounders’ of
Probability theory like Blaise Pascal would have predicted a comfortable South African triumph at that juncture.
But the Rohit’s Army especially its bowlers and fielders refused to give up…and what happened subsequently …is now history.
Speaking of steadfastness in the Scriptural realm. Let’s look at this Biblical portion which encapsulates Apostle Paul’s
steely determination
"Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys.
I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but
are not I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm."-
2 Cor 11:24-27
Add to this the “thorn in his flesh” which refused to go away
(2 Cor 12:1-10)
and the picture emerges of a Player in Christ’s team of not
giving up but showing unflinching faith.
Let’s get this straight...
a) the Master did not sugar-coat the demands of walking in the straight and the narrow nor did Paul
(Acts 14:22).
Yes, Christian life is not only tough but
impossible if you try to go it alone. In Christian life the winning combo is your will power laced with God’s indwelling power. At this stage,
I would like to remind everyone of the Scripture portion, which best sums up the Christian life
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord
(Zech 4:6).
b) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.-
1 Tim 4:7
At this point, let’s also get reminded yet another cardinal truth about Christian life.
It is not only about a great start but also about a great finish depending upon the Lord’s strength to sustain you till the very end.
Christian life, simply put is as easy or tough as letting Christ (who displayed steely determination in accomplishing Father’s will-
John 6:38)
live in and through us
(Gal 2:20).
Co-ordination
What stood out in the Indian camp, before, during and after the WC Campaign was the TEAMWORK, with batsmen, bowlers and fielders all
doing their part responsibly…to the best of their ability. Team work in its noblest form is not only about playing with each other but playing for each other.
By the same token what is a Church with several “gifted individuals” without proper co-ordination amongst themselves? A non-entity! Consider Apostle Paul’s wise words here,
spoken in the context of much needed “teamwork” in the Corinthian church…
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service,
but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given
to each of us so we can help each other.” –
I Cor 12:4-7
Best example of team work? You do not have to look beyond the “Team Trinity” working in unity to procure our salvation.
God chose us, Son shed his blood on the Cross as a ransom to purchase us from sin’s grasp and the Holy Spirit convicted us at
the right time and made us accept the Divine Redemption plan and would keep the sanctification process going till we reach the
heavenly shores or the Bridegroom comes first to receive us…His Bride
(I Peter 1:2).
Didn’t somebody say in this context
of Salvation “God thought it, Christ bought it, Holy Spirit wrought it and though devil fought it, praise God, I have got it”!
Hallelujah! Also have we ever praised the Trinity for absolute selflessness within themselves? The Son was willing to die an
excruciating death on the Cross to obey His Father’s will
(Luke 22:42)
and the Father selflessly exalted the Son’s name above ALL names-
Philippians 2:9
(including His own names such as Elohim, El-Shaddai, Adonai etc) and the Holy Spirit when we are worshipping helps us but never
calls attention to Himself. AMAZING ISN’T IT? THE OTHER-CENTREDNESS IN TRINITY! If this does not inspire us to play for each other,
then nothing else will!
Historically, it has been proven that if the Church is to take wing… all the wings of the Church have to work in harmony.
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.-
Eph 4:11-12
Remember the good ole’ definition of the word
TEAM? TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE! Do I need to say MORE?
RECOGNITION
BCCI announce Rs 125 crore prize money for Team India after T20 World Cup win
It’s pouring…the accolades in cash and kind for Rohit’s men and they deserve every bit of it. Now do I see some
criticism coming my way for making such an observation? Hey, have not the “Rohit’s Troop” added immeasurably to our
“feel-good factor” and the national pride? Poor fellas’, our Cricketers’, remember also that their shelf life is limited.
From a promising teen to a struggling veteran, the transition can be quite fast. So are they not entitled to their
“pound of flesh”?
You do not agree? Let’s then, agree to disagree.
What then would be the rewards for those in Christ’s team? Let the Scripture itself give an answer
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.” -
I Cor 2:9.
Mind-boggling both literally and figuratively!!!
Here we would agree that Scripture is inviolable! Mind you “salvation is FREE but rewards have to be earned”.
WHILE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN IS GUARANTEED FOR A CHRISTIAN, HIS ELEVATION OR DEMOTION IN THE MATTER OF FULFILLING THE DESIGNATED HEAVENLY RESPONSIBILITIES,
WOULD DEPEND SOLELY ON THE QUALITY OF SERVICE (GIVING MORE AND TAKING LESS-ACTS 20:35) RENDERED TO THE MASTER ON THIS EARTHLY SIDE OF ETERNITY!
Lest our works for Christ get burned up like dry grass, let’s strive in order they come out as shining gold through fire at the hour of reckoning
(I Cor 3:12-15)
which incidentally is RIGHT AT THE DOOR
(Rev 22:12)!
Suresh Manoharan
An Unworthy Servant
Ps…While on the subject, it needs to be told that for governing India originally the British Parliament
had passed an Act way back in 1773 itself but I did not get into those details as my main intention was
to bring out by way of comparison (of only 2 Indian constitutions of different periods), the evolution as
it were of God’s counsel in some key affairs (physical and spiritual) of human life with His
“Constitutions” emerging at the right time for the right people from time to time.
Yours in His service,
(Suresh Manoharan)
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