March Madness
posted by Luke Harper
24Mar
Every year there is a certain month that just gets me pumped. That month is MARCH. Why you ask? Well March Madness of course! Every year I like to show off my “bracketology” knowledge. I usually fill out about twenty-five brackets. Sometimes I go with my favorite team, predict them to win the National Championship even when it’s totally not realistic. Sometimes I pick for upsets like Belmont University to win the ‘ship just for fun.
Sometimes, I just pick the highest seed in every game to play it safe, but what’s the fun in that? I usually end up frustrated and wishing I had a way to pick every game correctly. So, I turn to ESPN and their experts who try to convince me that their picks are correct. Yes, they are supposed to know more that I do, but I usually go with my gut feeling (the wrong choice) and my bracket suffers as a result.
Then you have those freakish 12-year-olds (that you see on TV) who pick every game correctly. They ignore all the predictions ESPN throws at them and they pick every game right!
I think “bracketology” is kind of like life in a way. I have a choice. I can be my usual self and screw up my life (bracket) by following my gut or other influences (ESPN). You see, the world is throwing tons of things at us constantly. All the “experts” have an opinion. If I choose to follow those influences in real life, well my bracket (life) will suffer. Or….I can choose to be that one 12-year-old kid. You know, the kid who is not influenced by the things of this world. The kid who ignores all that and strives for the true goal (GOD!). That kid! A life (bracket) focused on God is free from wrong choices…the choice is not ours. When you face a difficult game, God can lead you in the right direction. So now looking back, why in this world would I ever listen to what the world (ESPN) has to offer? I have the God of the Universe to guide and direct me.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a
Those games (difficult situations) we face in life will be taken care of by God as long as we “draw near.” It’s my choice….win or lose…seems like pretty easy choice to me!
About the Author
Luke Harper is a high school student in Nashville, and plays three sports: football, basketball, and soccer. He spends most of his time at school, in the gym, or at church.
In his free time, he loves to write, watch ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks, the LSU Tigers, and the Tennessee Titans. He also likes playing video games and volleyball, and chillaxin with his friends. He loves road trips, youth trips, mission trips, pancakes, pasta, and sweet tea.
