March MISSION Madness

It’s March, and every college basketball fan knows what that means—March Madness is here! My husband Kelly is a huge Kentucky Wildcats fan, and he has raised a household of Kentucky fans. Most of our kids are grown up now with homes and families of their own, but I’m certain that we’ll have quite the racket at our house this coming Selection Sunday. As a near empty-nester, I’m happy for any excuse to have the family over! 

However, while everybody is caught up in the fun of basketball brackets and buzzer-beaters, there is another kind of “madness” that I am encouraging my family with this year: “March MISSION Madness!”

Thing is, in basketball, teams battle it out for victory, and we all watch with bated breath to see who will get to play, who will give it their best shot, and who will come out on top. This month’s tournament is known as a kind of “madness” by basketball fans, and, at least in my household, that is, indeed, the case. 

And yet, in the Kingdom of God, there is another kind of “madness.” I would like to suggest that it is the boldness and the “foolishness” of living crazy, amazing faith for Jesus. The Bible says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). This “message of the cross” doesn’t make sense to those who don’t yet know Jesus, but, for those of us who do know the Lord, this message and mission is powerful and life-changing.

“Madness” for Christ

The Apostle Paul talked a lot about this “foolishness” for Christ. He shared his testimony and stories of putting his life on the line for Jesus. Other early believers, both named and unnamed in Scripture, did the same.

Since those Bible times, down through the ages, others have done this, too. Just like the heroes in basketball push through the obstacles and challenges to accomplish victory, there are heroes in the faith who have pushed through their own obstacles and challenges for something far greater than a sports championship. These people stepped onto the court of faith with courage, facing incredible challenges and playing their part in advancing God’s Kingdom. These heroes lived their lives for faith, freedom, and the mission of Christ, inspiring us to the same kind of “madness” for Jesus.

What’s so fun in college basketball is that, sometimes, the underdogs pull off the biggest upsets, shocking the world. In the same way, God often chooses the most unlikely people to accomplish His greatest purposes. Their stories reverberate through history’s hall of faith. This makes me think about Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to lead others to freedom. I am also reminded of Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, who prayed and prayed and prayed until her prodigal came home. Two courageous Scottish women, Mary Slessor and Margaret Wilson, also come to mind, each living their own breath-taking stories of mission and purpose. All of these women gave everything for the mission God put before them. And, this month, with the Family Disciple Me ministry, we’re looking at their stories of living crazy, amazing lives for Jesus.

But here’s the real question: If you are a Christ follower, how is God calling you to get in the game? Are you sitting on the sidelines, passively watching others live the fight for faith? 

Or are you willing to get off the bench, put on your uniform (which, by the way, is the spiritual armor God tells us about in Ephesians 6), and get into the game with Jesus?

Get Into the Game

What would happen, I wonder, if we ALL begin to embrace the MISSION God has for us with crazy, amazing faith? 

Thing is, as March Madness “Selection Sunday” approaches, if you belong to Jesus, you were “selected” and chosen before the foundation of the earth to live for Him (Ephesians 1:4). The world may not always understand the plays God calls us to make. Even some of our closest family and friends may think it “madness” that we are Christ-followers and live our lives for Someone and something greater than ourselves.  

And yet, inspired by heroes who have gone before us, we can dribble the ball passed to us and take a shot for faith, whether it looks crazy or not. 

So I invite you, don’t just do “March Madness” this year; join us along the way in “March MISSION Madness.” How is God calling you to live on mission? What in your life might seem like “foolishness” or “madness” to the world but is CRAZY AMAZING FAITH unto Him?

As we journey through this month, I invite you to engage with Family Disciple Me as we:

� Read (or listen to) four inspirational stories of faith.
� Reflect on what their lives teach us about living crazy, amazing faith.
� Spend time with Jesus and “Seek Him” about your own mission for Him.
� “Speak Him” in conversations with those entrusted to you about living boldly for Christ.

The world probably won’t understand a life fully surrendered to Jesus, but His mission is worth it. So, let’s lace up, step onto the court, and embrace the “madness” of faith together!

Let’s gooooo Team Jesus!!!!

Be encouraged! ❤️

Tosha

p.s. You can find a podcast introduction to these March MISSION Madness conversations at The Family Disciple Me podcast HERE.