Before the World Cup games started on June 9, people made predictions of who will win the final game. I predicted that Brazil and Germany will meet for the final and Brazil will win. The Brazilians were considered by most to be the favorites. The other two favorites were Argentina and Germany. My estimate is that 80% or more people predicted Brazil, Germany or Argentina to win the cup. But, as you all know it went to Italy on July 9.
After the world cup is over, FIFA came up with a ranking of world teams. I am a Brazil fan. To my consolation Brazil is still ranked first in the new ranking despite not reaching the semi-finals. It is interesting how they are still ranked first despite not making it to the semi-finals. What do you make of that?
This world cup exemplifies life. In life we don’t always get what we think we deserve. Life is full of sometimes pleasant and sometimes not-so-pleasant surprises. Pleasant surprises are easy to handle. What do you do when you encounter a not-so-pleasant surprise like Brazil? Brazil fans burned a statue of Ronaldinho that they erected when he was named FIFA world player of the year in 2004. Would you do something similar? If you look in the word of God for explanations, however, here is what the bible offers: "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong..." Ecc. 9:11
We all have expectations and predictions. The problem is we sometimes put our predictions ahead of God’s plan. That is when we come against these unpleasant surprises. God, though, has a plan. No matter what our predictions and expectations are, in the end it is God’s will that prevails.
“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.” Prov. 19:21
Blessings,
The Cyber Evangelist |