To Infinity and Beyond
Matthew 28:20B “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
My husband and I were winter Olympics fanatics. We viewed every triple toe loop landing as our own personal victory. Every snowboarding halfpipe left us dizzy. And the bobsledders rendered us exhausted, because in our souls, we ran right alongside of them.
In the midst of these events came one that puzzles us: CURLING! We’ve wondered, “How is this a sport?” I am confident that if given the chance, any homemaker would be an Olympic contender with the skills she could bring to the sport of Curling. The very name “Curling” gives flashbacks to high school days of hot rollers donning our head. The “rocks” the Curlers slide are reminiscent of an iron sliding back and forth on an ironing board. And the sweeping? Well, that goes without saying.
When first introduced in 1998 to this unconventional sport, my husband and I found it amusing. Speaking with highest authority, our immediate assessment was “This sport isn’t Olympic-worthy. It will never last!” (Now I should mention that the first time we saw an amazing unknown country music group perform, we commented they could never be successful with a ridiculous name like Lady Antebellum! Enough said!)
As evidence of our prophetic inabilities, the U.S. Olympic Men’s Curling team just won the first ever U.S. gold medal in the very sport we predicted wasn’t going to last. Our win is being hailed as, “The MiraCURL on Ice.” (And, I say “Our win,” because I was right there beside them sweeping all the way! You’re welcome!) Amazingly, this “Non-Olympic-worthy” sport that, “wasn’t going to last,” was first played in the year 1511.
While chuckling over our misguided assessment of the impending doom of curling, a story from Acts 5 came to mind. It is the story of the apostles and Gamaliel, a religious man of wisdom, character, and impeccable reputation. The apostles were imprisoned for preaching the Good News, but an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and the apostles took up right where they left off: preaching the Good News. The religious Jews were furious and prepared to put the apostles to death.
A Pharisee named Gamaliel intervened. With wisdom and patience, Gamaliel advised the religious leaders to wait and see. If this “Good News” is not of God, it will not last. If it is of God, it will succeed. And, if you are fighting it, you are fighting God. Who dares to fight God?
That was 2000 years ago and while I still should not speak to the success of Lady Antebellum and Curling, I can confidently proclaim that the Good News of Christ will persevere! The Good News will be here for the next 2000 years and beyond, because the Good News of Christ is the same “Today, tomorrow, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) God is the “Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 1:8) Yes, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be with us, “Even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
In an age where cultural icons come and go and fads have the lasting power of a Facebook post, God’s Good News is here to stay for eternity. And, so are we! As believers and followers of our Lord and Savior, we have a promise of eternal life. (I John 2:25) How incredible that we will enjoy the mercies of God to Infinity and Beyond.
Father God, help us rest in the peace of your eternal power and love.
Blessings,
Rita