Yogi Berra once said that it’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.
He’s right – which is why I was so surprised when I began receiving notes from colleagues and friends reacting to my Super Bowl XLV prognostication in this space last Friday. I had actually forgotten all about it.
My prediction:
Packers 31
Steelers 24
Actual:
Packers 31
Steelers 25
“Have any good stock tips?” somebody asked. “Can we call you Jimmy the Greek?” joked another, to which I responded, “No, Jimmy the Irishman.” Yet another wrote, “Vegas is calling.”
“Sorry,” I replied. “I’m not in.”
If only life was as predictable as the Super Bowl.
In all sincerity, if you are anxious about the future, I would urge you to embrace John’s assurance, “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That is your future if you believe and accept Christ’s invitation. Jesus’ calming assurance found within Matthew’s Gospel also comes to mind. Granted it will not help you beat the sports book at the Bellagio or pick this week’s winning Powerball numbers, all fool’s errands, to be sure.
But, if you can truly live these words, you will find yourself at ease regardless of what may come your way.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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