Shout for Joy

It's that time of year again . . . March Madness. Sixty-eight college basketball teams begin the tournament hoping to win the national trophy three weeks later.

Coincidentally, this is the time of year I read more books and magazines than normal and binge watch TV shows that only I like. My husband and two sons sit on the edge of their seats, rooting for the teams they have chosen for the college basketball brackets. With a steak dinner on the line for the winner of the bracket challenge, they cheer from the sofa hoping to motivate their teams to victory.

Before you think I am one of those wives/moms who frown on such silliness, I am the fortunate person who has the honor of dining on steaks with the winner. I enjoy watching basketball and even root for the Tarheels when a game is on. However, at this point of my life, circumstances out of my control do not leave much time left over in any given day for watching TV and movies. So when the time presents itself, I would rather read or watch a show or movie instead.

It's fun to cheer on our favorite teams, whether the sport is football, baseball, soccer, hockey, or basketball. But do we cheer on the One who wins every game--the One who has ultimate victory over life and death?

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:1,2,5 (NLT)

I've seen the faces of those who are reveling in a well-earned victory for their favorite team--pure joy. I've seen the faces of those supposedly praising their Savior and Lord on Sunday morning--sheer boredom.

Let's remember whose team we're on. As the psalm proclaims, God is good. His love and faithfulness are cause for celebration. Let's "shout with joy" and "worship with gladness" today.