by Justin Morton
This week marks the beginning of what I, and perhaps even some of you, believe is the greatest few days in all of sports. It’s the beginning of the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament. This tournament features 68 teams who are competing in a single-elimination tournament for the right to be crowned the NCAA National Champions. The tournament takes place over the course of a few weeks and leads up to the Final Four on April 4th and the National Championship game on Monday night, April 6th.
What makes this tournament so special is the chaos and excitement it brings. The teams who are the favorites to win do not always win the games. Sometimes the underdogs rise up and pull off the upset. Every year surprises seem to happen, and an unexpected team always makes a deep run. Because of this unpredictability, the tournament has fittingly earned the name March Madness.
What truly sets March Madness apart from other sporting events is that every team has a chance when the game tips off. On any given night, a powerhouse team may struggle: their shots don’t fall, turnovers pile up, or players get in foul trouble. In that same game, someone on the underdog team has a career night shooting the ball. That’s what I love about this tournament—when the ball tips off, expectations fade and opportunity takes over.
This tournament reminds me of our Christian walk. There are times when we face challenges and obstacles that seem bigger, stronger and far beyond our ability to overcome. Yet, God has given us everything we need to stand firm. David declared, “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). Isaiah also reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Even though on paper it may look like we are overpowered by whatever obstacle or opponent we are facing, with God on our side, we always have the opportunity to overcome.
As we watch the excitement of March Madness unfold, may we be reminded that no challenge we face is too great for our God. This week, let’s step forward in faith, trusting His strength, leaning on His promises, and believing that with God, victory is always possible.