Won by a Wicket

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Thu, 29/08/2019 - 07:50

I’m not really a fan of cricket, though my colleagues assure me it’s my ‘kind’ of sport. I interpret that to mean I am perceived as slow, traditional and boring. However, something exciting happened last week, which isn’t a word normally associated with the game. England, against the odds, beat Australia in the annual Ashes contest, and did so on account of a single wicket, having needed 73 runs at the start of play. Not only does this make our Ben Stokes a cricketing legend, it shamed a few otherwise great Aussie players. For example, Nathan Lyon dropped a ball that should have run-out Jack Leach. Little mistakes can cost a team much.

Switched off by the above? Normally, I would be, too. But this is a national triumph- so much won by a wafer. In the 136 years since 1883, Australia have held the Ashes for over 80 years, and England for about 56 years. Some commentators are saying Australia should have won based on their overall performance. But cricket, like life, is not based on coursework and continual assessment. Whatever the score at the end, that’s the result. Whether you win by a single wicket or cluster, it’s victory enough.

Whatever you have achieved in life, no matter how much money earned, houses bought, degrees awarded or offspring delivered, none of this really counts for anything before the Judgement Seat of God. The ultimate question is what did you do with Jesus Christ? Did you receive Him, love Him, and submit to Him? Or discard, ignore, ridicule and blaspheme Him? A single wicket cost Australia much; a single decision to postpone or reject Jesus Christ will cost far more than an urn of Ashes. Almost accepting Him is as good as almost winning an Ashes Test:

“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!

“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last;

“Almost” cannot avail;

“Almost” is but to fail!

Sad, sad that bitter wail—

“Almost—but lost!“

Be now persuaded, oh, sinner, hear!

Be now persuaded, Jesus is near;

His voice is pleading still,

Turn now with heart and will,

Peace will your spirit fill—

Oh, turn today!