Filled And Overflowing

Filled and Overflowing

When the Houston Astros won the 2015 wild card play-off game to head to the American League Division Series, they celebrated with a champagne shower in the visitors’ locker room of the New York Yankees. This young team was ahead of schedule in reaching the play-offs, and their youthful zeal for the game showed as they fearlessly threw each pitch or swung for the fences.

The Astros were a first- or second-place team all year, and their hard work, love for the game, and love for one another paid tremendous dividends that overflowed in celebration as they sought to win in October. In the previous months, their character was shaped as they began to tail off at the end of the season. They fought to overcome this adversity and gained a wild card berth. They persevered and earned a spot in the final eight teams of the Major League Baseball season. It was exciting for the people of Houston to see, as it had been a long time since the Astros had been a contender.

Sports is a great mirror for life, but it isn’t life. It can nevertheless teach us many things and encourage us to reflect on what really matters. Philippians 1:10-11 states, “I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” What really matters is that we set ourselves apart for Christ and demonstrate his character. This will bring praise and glory to God.

I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:10-11