The Game

Today is the day, the state final, the day most coveted by athletes everywhere. Classes were just a time filler, in eight hours the buzzer would sound signaling tip off and play would begin. The time, the energy, the effort, all for that moment, all for the opportunity to wear state champion. The day was long, the anticipation daunting, finally a bell, school dismissed, now the state championship game was only a bus ride away.  Focus, imagine the game, imagine the ball through the hoop, image such incredible defense that the other team never scores; focus. Arrival, first walk on to the court; so many seats, so many banners hanging, no they are just distractions, focus.  The circle in the center, the three point line, foul line, red in the paint, base line, yup it is a basketball court; nothing more, nothing less. Next, the locker room to get ready and a pep talk from the coach.   Time now to take the court for warm ups. The fans piling in, the seats quickly filling up yet no sign of the other team. Warm up continue as the clock counts down, still no opponent in sight. Captains called, it was then we were told that the other team’s bus was delayed due to an accident and there was no telling when they would arrive. No one knew if it was their bus that was in the accident or if they were in traffic because of an accident. The refs explained that the team had exactly 20 minutes to arrive or they would forfeit the game and we would be the new state champions.  Mixed feelings: the title of state champion would be awesome but the title not earned; disappointing.  Wait, it was earned, all those hours in the gym and weight room when everyone else when to the parties, so what if it wasn’t earned today, it was earned through the season. Wait, the other team, they worked just as hard this season where is the fairness in just forfeiting the title because of an accident?  No, the game must’ve played.  “Coach, we can’t take the title via a forfeit, that would not be right. I know life is not fair but it is what we make of it and to accept this title would not be right.  The game must be played.”

“I hear you, son, but the officials stated otherwise.  What do you propose we do?”

“Let me talk to the team.”

Some of the team members were excited for the title without the fight but the majority believed in standing up for justice, standing up for a team who could not speak for themselves.  The team members spoke to the crowd telling them of the situation and the team’s decision to not accept the title, then the team and coaches approached the officials. 

“Look, we do not want to accept the title without a game, we will wait for the team to arrive no matter the time.”

“That is not how it works, there is a scheduled time, both teams must work within the parameters of the game otherwise there is a forfeit,” explained the head referee. 

While he was talking, the team members on the outside of the circle rallied the crowd and they started chanting, “Let them play, let them play.”

The buzzer had already sounded, the refs announcing the victors, the crowd standing and chanting, the team refusing their medals and the opposing team walks through the doors.  Bruised and sore, the team walked into the gym with a hero’s welcome.  After much prodding, chanting and arguing, the game was played, the state championship title was earned as the medals proudly adorned their necks.  The next day, the headline of the paper read, ‘Real heroes ride school buses’.  The article went on to explain how a bus filled with high school basketball players made their driver stop when they saw that a bus filled with young school students had been in an accident. The players got off their bus to help the children in need; some were bruised but most were just frightened so the players sat with them until the students’ parents arrived. They were aware that in doing this, they would be late and the game could be called but their concern was for the children who were frightened, bleeding, and crying.  They did their best to comfort them and were ready to accept the consequences of their actions. Both teams made the paper that day, one as heroes, the other as state champions but most importantly both claimed their dignity as they stood up for that which was right, that which reached beyond the code of humanity and digging deep into the reality of morality...attachment to the Father swelled by His loving touch. Rules as set by human existence do not always meet the innate moral standard of decency as pertained to the dignity of the soul.  Every person matters, every person deserves love, every person deserves the freedoms of unconditional love. Doing that which is right may go against that which is accepted or that which is easier, as Christians, we need to focus on that which is right and not worry ourselves with that which is accepted. As we move on in this moment, let us be reminded of that which is right, that which is present within the heart and react with the soul.  Doing right may not always yield the tangible reward but it will yield the Father’s love and love is what this world needs. The buzzers has sounded, focus...act.