World Cup!

My team lost.  In a closely contested final.  I'm not going to lie, I wanted more. 

I'm trying hard not to lose perspective - after all, in the end, it's only a game.  It's probably a bad sign that I actually have to remind myself of that.

Sigh, we were so darn close!!! But this team did make me incredibly proud.  They played an excellent tournament.  

Congratulations to Germany.  And to the other 31 teams as well - hope to see you again in four years.

Thank You for the beautiful game.

Belonging

I'm convinced that in each one of us is an incredible longing to belong.  To know who we are and what we were made for. Today, through the magic of Skype, I was able to join my Shanghai cell group for worship.  And I was instantly reminded of who I am and what I was made for. 

Turn yours eyes upon Jesus and the things of this world will grow strangely dim.  

God bless the church.  

Luck

I'm not sure how the World Cup can or does advance the Kingdom of God.  Nonetheless, it's one of my favorite events and each time it comes around, I'm reminded just how much "luck" plays a part in victory.  

True, for the most part, the superior team advances, but in a sport where one goal can (and often does) make all the difference, being lucky doesn't hurt.  

I hope that Argentina's fragile defense and even more fragile luck continues to hold out.  Next up is another European team - a formidable Belgium team who eliminated my adopted country (fútbol-wise) of America.  At the very least, I am very grateful to the USMNT - the Von Trapps - for pushing Belgium into extra time.  It would have been a tremendous disadvantage to Argentina if it's next opponent was fresher and played less minutes.

I know God probably doesn't ultimately care about the results of the matches, but I know He cares about hearts.  And my heart is thankful that Argentina gets to play another match.

Blessings

Counting my blessings does not come naturally to me.  I'm too pessimistic and prone to anxiety to focus on what I have been blessed with rather than what I don't have.  But God has softened my heart and showed me the wisdom and joy of living in His grace.  

So I will continue to try and give thanks.  Even during my desert times - to remember that He has a mighty hand and an outstretched arm - more than enough to see me through the dry times.

Thank You for everything.

Meritocracy

I think successful people want to believe in meritocracy.  But only to the extent that it explains their success and achievements and offers them hope in attaining further success and achievement.  

I no longer think a true meritocracy exists (nor do I think I want it to exist).  I still think effort and talent may lead to achievements and success, but they definitely aren't predictors or guarantors of them.  On top of that, in a true meritocracy, we would get what we truly deserved (in a moral sense).  And I think, deep down inside me, I have always believed/understood that everyone deserves chastisement and punishment for falling short of perfection.  Because, in a way, if we are willing to forgive ourselves for not being perfect, then I think there really is no basis for any moral judgment of other people.  Everyone becomes their own judge of what is forgivable/permissible and each person's judgement becomes as valid as the next person's.  That's tantamount to saying that there are no agreed to standards.

Anyways... All this to say that I'm really grateful there is grace.  And true forgiveness for not being perfect - forgiveness from the only perfect person. 

La Albiceleste

Nothing plays with my emotions more than watching Argentina play in the World Cup.  True to my Argentinean fútbol upbringing, I am a fickle fan - screaming in ecstasy when Argentina are winning and cringing in silence and despair when they are losing - when I should be cheering even louder for the comeback... keeping the hope alive!

But fútbol is like that - one goal can rob you of hope, silence your cheers, and destroy your dreams.  The other sport I love isn't as cruel - basketball is usually decided in the last few minutes, and if you have the right player, there is always hope!

And that's what has been so amazing about this Argentina team at this World Cup - we finally have the right player!  During the Bosnia game, as Argentina clung on to an uninspiring and precarious 1-0 lead, Messi gave us, the Argentina fans, a goal of sublime beauty - enough to allow us to dream again.  And then Messi did it again in the Iran game - except he did it when the stakes were even higher!  Before Messi's injury time goal, Iran had two amazing chances to take the lead, but our defense and the goalie, Romero, held.  And then Messi unleashed that beautiful curling shot that bent just outside of the Iranian goalie's fingertips - and all of Argentina exploded in celebration - we could finally afford to hope again!  Here, finally, in Messi, we had a player who could and did decide games single-handedly - a feat almost unimaginable in fútbol!

In 1998, Batistuta could not be that kind of player.  In 2002, Veron could not be that kind of player.  In 2006, neither Crespo nor Riquelme could be that kind of player.  In 2010, Messi could not be that kind of player (shackled, as he was, by another Argentine legend).  

But 2014 is different!  So I am starting to dare to hope again.  Argentina has lost in the quarterfinald of the last two World Cups.  Here's hoping that this year's team will advance further.  And if they fall behind in any of the knockout games, I will continue to hope this year, I will continue to cheer, all the way until the final whistle.

Either way, it's gonna be a great game tonight! 

Thank God for fútbol and La Albiceleste