Where do you go when you see the same number repeatedly?
About a year ago I kept seeing the number 42 and God directed me to Isaiah 42.
It sounded great at first.
I’m chosen,
I’m to bring forth justice and help Jesus fulfill his mission. Praise the Lord, all the things.
But then I kept reading.
The very people God called to open blind eyes are blind.
How is it that we are not transforming the world, but conforming to it?
Afraid to speak up.
Blending in with culture and no longer standing out as Christians?
I repented and eventually got in my Word.
As soon as I became consistent, I began to see.
Prior to that, I always associated the number 42 with Jackie Robinson.
Did you know that he ran track and played basketball? At UCLA?!
He was the true definition of being chosen and fighting for justice at the expense of his life.
He fought for justice simply by utilizing his God given talents. All of them.
Yet we can easily be blinded by the accolades and miss his contribution in the sports arena which I’m sure may have had some ripple effects in other industries beyond athletics.
He was a pioneer charting the course for black professional athletes at the time.
He started in collegiate sports then eventually played professional baseball.
It had me thinking about many great changes that have occurred since then, and the recent changes in collegiate and professional sports that are still unraveling.
Who will be the pioneers in this generation to help form a more perfect union on the marriage of media and sports?
A lot of our entertainment come from sports and it can become idolatry if we continue to obsess over the need of a hit from our favorite team, over going to God for solace.
On New Years my pastor touched on Isaiah 42, but preached on Isaiah 43.
Where Israel was redeemed.
I felt much better about myself in that I began doing the work to get back in God’s good graces.
In chapter 43 God reiterates that I belonged to Him and despite any spiritual failure, He will show mercy and restore me. That I can not walk this thing called life alone, and that He is always with me.
Also to remind others not to fall into the traps of idolatry and conforming the the cultural norms.
If Jackie conformed, forget blacks in sports, who would we be as a country today?
It’s the same when God reveals the same number to you repeatedly. What is your source?
The next time He communicates with numbers, ask Him where to go in scripture.
Our blueprint for life.
