So a couple of weeks ago, my favorite soccer team lost very badly against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. It was a very shameful lost. The game is played in two matches, so Barcelona lost the first match 0-4, and lost the second one 0-3. After the first match, I knew the chances to revert it was very low, but I was hoping that Barcelona would lose in a more dignified way.
There are many reasons why Barcelona lost so badly (injuries, long season, lack of key players in certain positions), but simply Bayern Munich is the better team at this point in time.
And many critics saw this defeat as an indication that Barcelona winning cycle is coming to an end. Barcelona has been the most dominant team in the last 5 years, and it is considered one of the best team in history. But I am confident that this is just a "small defeat", and that Barcelona will come back next season as one of the favorites to win the title. Of course, Barcelona will have to make some readjustments like strengthening their vulnerable defense, and find players that can take the team on their shoulders when Lionel Messi is not there.
As I think about my spiritual walk with Christ, I have experienced many defeats in my battle with sin. I often feel that Romans 7 reflect my life very well, I know what is the right thing to do, but I end up doing the contrary. It is really because God's steadfast love and mercy are new very morning, and His grace unfathomable that I can keep on walking with Him.
Whenever I feel down and ashamed of my sins, I am reminded that God loved me while I am a sinner (Romans 5:8) and that He has taken away the sin from me (Psalm 103:12) by the death of Christ on the cross. The constant reminder of the gospel, which is full of grace, compels me to keep living my life for the glory of God!
There are times when we need to make readjustments in our lives, so it is good to spend time reflecting how my walk has been with the Lord, what are the areas of my life that I need to submit to Christ? Was I able to know God more in the recent months? What I have learned from Him lately? Some good questions that I asked myself once in a while.
When we experienced a defeat, it's ok, as God is with us. His love never changes, and He is faithful.
Tim Keller posted something based on John Newton's "Blemishes of the Christian Character": http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/05/24/forgive-us-these-faults/, which I think it is a good read because often we are blind to our own faults while we think we are acting in a Christian way.
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