For college basketball fans, March Madness is the highlight of the season. Every year, during March and April, teams battle through a series of intense elimination games to determine the national champion. It’s an exciting time – full of buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories, and unexpected upsets.
But March Madness isn’t just about basketball. It’s about passion.
Die-hard fans will do just about anything to stay glued to the games. Employees mysteriously “call in sick” so they can watch their favorite teams play. People paint their faces – and sometimes their entire bodies – in school colors, proudly displaying their loyalty. Office pools buzz with excitement as coworkers bet on who will take home the championship. Brackets are meticulously filled out and updated, sometimes by the hour, as fans track every win and loss.
Even though I don’t get caught up in the full madness of it all, I do enjoy watching the games and cheering for my favorite teams. But as I watched the championship game last year, something struck me.
I couldn’t help but wonder: What if we, as believers, were as passionate about being on God’s team as these fans are about their basketball teams?
That thought challenged me, and I hope it challenges you too. Because if we’re truly playing for God’s team, then we should live like it. That means asking ourselves some serious questions:
Do Others Know Whose Team You’re On?
You can always tell who the die-hard basketball fans are. They proudly wear their team’s colors, chant their fight songs, and defend their team to anyone who will listen. Their loyalty is loud and clear.
But as followers of Christ, can the same be said about us?
Do people know you belong to Jesus? Can they tell, not just by what you say, but by how you live? The Bible reminds us in Romans 1:16 (NIV), “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” That means we don’t just represent Christ on Sundays. We represent Him in our workplaces, in our communities, and even in the everyday moments when no one is watching.
We may be the only Bible some people will ever “read.” And while none of us get it right 100% of the time, when we fall short, we must be quick to repent and get back in the game.
How Are You Getting Along With Your Teammates?
There’s an old saying that Christians are the only ones who shoot their wounded.
In basketball, a team can’t win if the players are constantly fighting with each other instead of working together. No matter how talented individual players are, their success depends on unity.
The same is true for the body of Christ. We are all broken people, saved by grace, and called to love and support one another. John 13:35 (NIV) says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” That love isn’t just for the people who are easy to get along with – it applies to everyone, even those who challenge us.
As believers, our goal isn’t to tear each other down. It’s to build each other up. To extend grace when others fall. To be quick to forgive. To encourage one another to keep pressing toward the ultimate prize.
Are You Playing to Win?
In basketball, every player on the court has one goal in mind: the championship trophy. They train relentlessly, push through exhaustion, and stay focused because they know what’s at stake.
As believers, we are also pressing toward a prize – but ours is much greater than any earthly championship.
Life will bring challenges. We’ll face obstacles. We’ll have days when we feel like quitting. But 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) reminds us: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Your trials are temporary. Your struggles will not last forever. But your faithfulness? That has eternal value.
So, don’t let the distractions of this world pull you away from what really matters. Keep your eyes on the ultimate prize – eternity with Jesus. Stay in the game, stay committed, and keep pressing on.
March Madness fans go all out for their teams. They wear their colors, cheer with everything they’ve got, and never miss a game.
What would happen if we showed that same level of passion for God?
What if we lived so boldly in our faith that people had no doubt whose team we were on?
The truth is, we are all in the middle of a game – one that’s far more important than basketball. And the best part? We already know how it ends. In Christ, we have victory.
So, suit up, stay faithful, and play to win. The final championship – the one that truly matters – belongs to those who endure to the end.
Are you in?
