Cheering For You!!!

When Covid shook our world, sports fans and athletes were left wondering what would happen to attending sporting events. Major League soccer, baseball, and basketball all announced that they weren’t going to allow fans. LeBron James stated that, ‘We play games without the fans? No, it’s impossible,’ he said. ‘I ain’t playing. If I ain’t got the fans in the crowd…That’s what it’s all about. If I show up to an arena and there are no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do what they want to do.’ Link to full article
The NBA attempted to create fan sounds over the speaker system, and even showed video of fans watching as if they were in the arena seats, but it just wasn’t the same. Why was LeBron so adamant about not playing? Because he understood the need for fans. We’re not talking about desiring an opportunity to be a people pleaser. This is about the fact that we all desire / long to know that someone is cheering us through the good and bad times. Game time is special. Without the noise of the fans leaves an athlete incomplete. During these challenging times each of us needs to know that someone is cheering us on in our walk with the Lord. The apostle Paul in Galatians 6:9 (NIV) encourages us by saying, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” In John 17:20-23, Jesus prays for all believers, 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Faithful men then and now are praying for you…cheering for you. Most importantly, Jesus is praying for you…He too is cheering you on. The cheering and prayers go a long way for each of us. Who else do you feel cheering for you? Who are you cheering for...do they hear it? Let me encourage you to look for ways to be a fan / cheerleader / blessing to someone today.
Nate
Hymn:
Out in the highways and byways of life
1
Out in the highways and byways of life,
  Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
  Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
  Make me a blessing to someone today.

2
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
  Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
  True, every moment you live.

3
Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
  Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
  Unto your mission be true.
Link to Hymn