The Big Game

Dear Evergreen family,

Are you ready for the “big game?” The Super Bowl is bigger than a sporting event. Plenty of people who care nothing for sports will tune in. The commercials are extra-entertaining, the halftime show is a mega-concert, and its cultural significance means that to be “in the know” requires being able to say a thing or two about the game. It’s a big deal.

Can you imagine playing in this game? Forget about the 70,000 people surrounding you on every side. There will be about 100,000,000 people watching on TV. In case you’re like me and you’re not good at counting zeros, that’s 100 million people—the equivalent of almost a third of the United States of America. With all those people watching, do you think you might give your best effort?

Now, are you ready for the really “big game?”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

You don’t have to imagine playing in this game. You are playing in this game. And the number of people watching (those who have gone before us—that great cloud of witnesses) is in the billions. Billions of people watching. And cheering. And clapping. For you. Right now. Rooting you on as you run the race of faith, carrying your cross, headed toward the kingdom. Sure makes me want to give 110%. How about you? Let’s give it our best.

May God bless us all.

Your Fellow Minister in Christ,

Mark