March Madness

     Selection Sunday is here! The moment fans put more faith in the ability of 18-22 year olds than believing the sun will rise the next day. Fans fill out their brackets, set their DVR, watch the games on their lunch break, bite their nails, pull out their hair, and the list goes on. It's MADNESS!

It's time for some Bracketology!

The Road to the Final Four
68 teams will set out on a journey where only 4 teams will arrive: The Final Four! The quest of every major (and mid-major) college basketball team aspires to this dream. Yet, only a few will ever enter the ranks of such elite competition.

#1 Seed
Since it's inception, the #1 seed has never lost to a #16 seed. No amount of luck has given way to the athleticism of its players and the genius of its coach. It's as if the #16 is content and only capable of simply making it to the "big dance."

Cinderella Story
There's always one team that seems to shock the world. Everybody wonders how they got in the tourney. They're a 'no name' team with 'no name' players. Yet, they find a way to win a couple of games and all of a sudden we become their biggest fans. We're hooked! We're a bandwagon fan!

5/12 Matchup
Without fail, there always seems to be this epic upset; the 'bracket buster.' As a fan, you know it's coming. But you weigh the odds in the balance of reason and fate. The only logical response is, it's "the curse of the 5/12 matchup."

     Life sometimes looks like March Madness. The Bible says "wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction but small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life" (Matthew 7:13-14). There are two roads set before us but only a few will enter the gate leading to the 'elite presence of God.' Many will be content with simply making it to the 'big dance.' Only a few find that His presence is greater to be desired than all that's in this world.

     Where are you on the journey to the Final Four? Do you feel the curse of the 5/12? Are you content with simply being in the game? Do you feel like an underdog? Are you willing to become a game changer? God expects us to endure the hardships to remain committed and faithful to the calling He has placed on our lives!