NBA Finals 2011

I was telling Augustine soon after game 6 ended tonight, and Dallas was crowned as champions, "there's something really spiritual about all of this. Like f'real, can you feel it?"

I don't know that I've ever been more in touch or felt the highs and lows of not only this particular finals series, but of the fans of each respective city than I have for this year's NBA Finals 2011. To be 100% honest, I came in as a neutral Rockets fan, a fan of basketball but semi-annoyed by my Dallas friends' statuses on Facebook for every outcome of their beloved Mavericks, but genuinely expecting to enjoy watching this series for teams whom I had reasons to both like and dislike. I ended up siding for both teams during different stretches of the games and can confidently say that I just wanted to see a game 7 and didn't care who won. Each time had strong reasons for why they should have won and I don't think fans would agree but like the Miami Heat coach said during his post-game interview, "neither team deserved to win more than the other."

Having said all that, right now as I type this, I feel a lot of emotion, almost an angst. Throughout this whole week+ event of this finals series, the main theme I saw not only in the players and media, but also from the fans, was the word "vindication," or perhaps more poignantly "redemption." I'm not saying that to sound spiritual or theological. It's just what was there from the get go (Propz to Jason Terry btw for doing that twice. Indeed all glory be to God who even gives anyone the strength to do what they do). All the back story of what makes this championship great, every detail ... This theme of justification was smothered all over it. There were other things I saw too (the cry for justice, pure celebration, the idea of karma, identity, hopes finally realized, what a "sinner" must have felt like in passages such as Luke 15, "you chase what you most want," etc.), but the fight for vindication, the clearing of blame, accusation, and guilt, the proof that all the hard work put in would show for something caught my eye the most. There's more that could be elaborated upon. Lebron James' story is one I almost found myself almost crying over and you got to know that it's not that I'm "for" or "against" him in any way. It's the story of the man, and how he's been treated and how he's handled it as a human being that creates an uneasy angst in me at this moment.

Just like ... take a step back for a moment and look at the news right now. Look at the sheer tear-producing emotions coming from Dallas fans and Miami fans. They range from real, genuine adulation to deep, heart-aching sorrow. Go ahead. Look at Facebook and Twitter and ESPN. Look at the celebration that will happen in Dallas and the post-interviews of players from both teams. Pay attention to the beautiful story of each player of the Dallas Mavericks' roster. Don't miss how the city of Cleveland is reacting to this. Look at the tweet by the Cavaliers' owner in response to the outcome of the game. Pay attention to the real person with a soul, Lebron James. He's not just arguably the best basketball player on the planet. He's a real man with a wounded soul. Listen to how he feels as a person more so than as a player. Look at it all. Listen to the chants.

Objectively speaking, I've seen people more happy and exuberant than I've ever seen them. I've seen people worship who wouldn't say they're worshipers of anything. All the sudden our language changes for the best or the worst, people dancing that never danced, etc. People ranging from different age groups, ethnicities, socio-economic statuses, religious beliefs all sharing this huge moment. The entire ambiance of workplace environments will surely be different tomorrow morning. Even our churches might have a distinct glow about it. It's crazy. And as a Rockets fan, I'm no different than any of my Dallas fans who have been enveloped into it all. Point is, this is all weird is it not? There's something very telling about the human heart in all this (both for the good and the bad) and I don't think I'm be over dramatic. Just look at the news. Objectively speaking, this is all just weird.

All that to say, in conclusion, winner and loser alike, the honest truth is we all need God to save us from ourselves. Praise be to God that He's made redemption possible. Praise Christ that He took our guilt and shame and went to the cross. Praise Christ that at the cross and resurrection, we find our acceptance and worth in Him in such a way that makes justification before man infinitely inferior. Praise God that whether or not we got what we wanted, worked hard for, and did all the right things for, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are given what our souls will endlessly chase till we find rest: God, Himself. There will be a celebration one day that will make all other parties and celebrations look pathetic in comparison to. It will be a billion times louder, have many more adoring fans (and not just fans) celebrating alongside us, and it will not end a day or two later like all other celebrations on earth do. It will be pure, "all man has ever longed for" joy forever and ever because of a God who is gracious and of an event He accomplished that is worthy of celebrating. God, for the joy of all peoples, help us invite more and more to join us. Life's a struggle but help us.

"Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped."
-Revelation 5:11-14

Congratulations Dallas and Miami. Well-fought series. It was a blessing to watch.
As Jason Terry said, "To God be the glory."
-Jon