Finally, after 52 years, Cleveland sports fans had something to celebrate. The Cavaliers won the NBA Championship. It was a surreal moment, one that I am still wrapping my mind around. I still feel like it was a dream and that once the season starts, we will realize the Warriors pulled it out. This city has been conditioned to expect the worst when it comes to its sports teams (and it creeps into our thoughts about our city). The litany of sports disasters is endless. Red Right 88, The Drive, The Shot, The Fumble, Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, The Browns move, LeBron leaving. Say any of those phrases to a native Clevelander and they will nod slowly and quietly walk away.
When the Cavs won, it was like a collective weight on the shoulders of this city dissipated. Grown men cried (acted like fools too), families came together, and family no longer around were thought of fondly. Got to admit, I looked skyward at the end and asked my Dad to help out while watching it at our church. That's right, I admit it.
These losses over the years created a special bond for those of us who live in the Northeast Ohio area. Two Clevelanders can meet anywhere in the world and immediately bond. Just the love and mutual failures of the sports teams uniting them. Even when the national media made fun of Cleveland's failures, we stood united. We were unified and they didn't understand us. And, how sweet would it be when one of our teams broke through. Trust me, the championship parade was very sweet.
There is something about going through trials and tribulations that allow us to empathize with others going through the same. That we inherently know what is going on in that person's life. That we understand what is happening.
Following sports is a simplified way of suffering. We say we live and die with our teams, but we don't mean that literally. (I would hope not). The sun will rise the next day regardless if our teams win or not. But, there are true sufferings that cause people to bond.
Think about this at your church. If your pastor said everyone with blue eyes stand up. You'd look around and think "that's kind of cool". Or, if your birthday was in November - once again kind of cool. But, you wouldn't feel much of a kinship with those other people. Just know when to buy birthday presents.
However, if he asks people to stand who have lost a loved one to cancer. There would be a heaviness, it would not feel trivial. There would be an unspoken understanding between you and everyone else. "I've been there too." might be the prevailing thought. It seems that way with any kind of suffering we might experience. A level of camaraderie amongst the tragedy.
I truly believe God built us this way. To be able to come together inherently in times of suffering. Not to be cold or callous to others' needs. A support system for those that are hurting. Being shoulders for others to lean on. To help people know that they do not go through these things alone. And not in a I had it worse sort of way.
This isn't saying that God makes us suffer. Far from that. These things happen because of sin and living in a fallen world. What I do know is that God uses these moments to bring healing. That we learn more about Him and His love for us. In this, others may be involved. God can place others in our lives who have experienced similar heartbreaks. It would be terrible to go through the ups and downs of life alone. God does not want us to go through life on our own or through our own strength.
There is something calming and peaceful being surrounded by others. Doesn't make the hurt any less, but more manageable hopefully. Might not even get all your questions answered, but there will be comfort. Having others share your burdens lightens the load on your shoulders.
Suffering will happen to all of us in our lifetimes. There are two ways to react. One is to get angry and push away. The other is to draw closer to God and others. We have the option. God doesn't force Himself onto us. He provides the means necessary to get us through our times of trials. And, at times, it will be us God provides to help others in their times of crisis. The choice is ours.
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" Romans 5:3-5.
When the Cavs won, it was like a collective weight on the shoulders of this city dissipated. Grown men cried (acted like fools too), families came together, and family no longer around were thought of fondly. Got to admit, I looked skyward at the end and asked my Dad to help out while watching it at our church. That's right, I admit it.
These losses over the years created a special bond for those of us who live in the Northeast Ohio area. Two Clevelanders can meet anywhere in the world and immediately bond. Just the love and mutual failures of the sports teams uniting them. Even when the national media made fun of Cleveland's failures, we stood united. We were unified and they didn't understand us. And, how sweet would it be when one of our teams broke through. Trust me, the championship parade was very sweet.
There is something about going through trials and tribulations that allow us to empathize with others going through the same. That we inherently know what is going on in that person's life. That we understand what is happening.
Following sports is a simplified way of suffering. We say we live and die with our teams, but we don't mean that literally. (I would hope not). The sun will rise the next day regardless if our teams win or not. But, there are true sufferings that cause people to bond.
Think about this at your church. If your pastor said everyone with blue eyes stand up. You'd look around and think "that's kind of cool". Or, if your birthday was in November - once again kind of cool. But, you wouldn't feel much of a kinship with those other people. Just know when to buy birthday presents.
However, if he asks people to stand who have lost a loved one to cancer. There would be a heaviness, it would not feel trivial. There would be an unspoken understanding between you and everyone else. "I've been there too." might be the prevailing thought. It seems that way with any kind of suffering we might experience. A level of camaraderie amongst the tragedy.
I truly believe God built us this way. To be able to come together inherently in times of suffering. Not to be cold or callous to others' needs. A support system for those that are hurting. Being shoulders for others to lean on. To help people know that they do not go through these things alone. And not in a I had it worse sort of way.
This isn't saying that God makes us suffer. Far from that. These things happen because of sin and living in a fallen world. What I do know is that God uses these moments to bring healing. That we learn more about Him and His love for us. In this, others may be involved. God can place others in our lives who have experienced similar heartbreaks. It would be terrible to go through the ups and downs of life alone. God does not want us to go through life on our own or through our own strength.
There is something calming and peaceful being surrounded by others. Doesn't make the hurt any less, but more manageable hopefully. Might not even get all your questions answered, but there will be comfort. Having others share your burdens lightens the load on your shoulders.
Suffering will happen to all of us in our lifetimes. There are two ways to react. One is to get angry and push away. The other is to draw closer to God and others. We have the option. God doesn't force Himself onto us. He provides the means necessary to get us through our times of trials. And, at times, it will be us God provides to help others in their times of crisis. The choice is ours.
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" Romans 5:3-5.
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