Page 27 - Cornerstone Connection Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 5

Time Out, With Purpose games resume, we can easily fall back into the routine of
using our DVR’s to record games or saving our money to
During the week of March 9th, 2020, the sports world purchase tickets and watch it live.
came to a halt as a result of the precautionary measures I beseech whoever is reading this to not take this time
needed to safeguard against COVID-19 (the Coronavi- out for granted. See it as mercy from the Lord - a chance
rus). The deadly virus that began in China and made its to remove the scales from our eyes. And, please, don’t
way around the world was the Achilles heel of athletics in get me wrong, I love sports. I’m one of those who has
North America and the world. DVR’d his favorite games or who can’t wait for the ref-
First, it was the National Basketball Association (NBA), eree to blow his/her whistle again. But I understand now,
who decided to suspend its season on March 11th. Then, more than ever, that in these ‘last days’ where we spend
it was Major League Baseball (MLB), who decided to our time will resonate in how
delay the beginning of its season on March 12th. And, we spend eternity. This isn’t a
eventually, the rest of the sports world followed suit to condemning word, but a desper-
prevent atmospheres where large crowds would gather in ate request to embrace this new
one place. For the first time in history, a global pandemic norm as a blessing from above.
has caused the sports world to modify its plans. And, so The Lord is giving us a chance
what do we do? to repent of our sins and believe
Aside from the importance of self-containment, sani- His Good News. Will we see it
tation efforts and maintaining calm, citizens of North this way? Or, will this be just an-
America can take this time to refocus on the things that other short-lived time out, where
are truly important: faith, family and friends. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before
the latter two come in distant second, compared to the the games resume? ✝
initial, but are all important, nonetheless. As mentioned
in my upcoming article, patrons spend massive amounts
of time, talent and treasure on athletics in North Amer-
ica. Now, that the games have come to a halt, the time
seems ripe for all of us to rededicate our lives to the Lord.
The opportunity is now for us to refocus our lenses and
keep our eyes on the Father.
Can you imagine the amount of house chores, exercise
goals and intimate conversations that will take place now
that men and women will not have the ability to watch
their favorite sports teams live? It’s easy to imagine. But,
will our prayer life deepen? Will our desire to read the
Scriptures strengthen? Will we be sensitive to the Spirit’s
conviction challenging how we use our time? I hope so.
We may never get this kind of time out again. Once the

cornerstoneconnection.com 27