No, I’m not referring to morality, the crime rate, politics or the party-animals down the street.  (Though those things may indeed be out of control.)  Rather, it’s my fantasy football teams!

I have two.  I began one league many years ago for family members; I began another one a few years ago for fun within our congregation.  I, of course, have a team in both leagues.

Most readers probably have a basic understanding of how fantasy football works.  But for those who don’t, here’s a brief summary: A fantasy football league consists of an even number of teams, each team directed by a different “manager” or “owner.”  There are set positions on the rosters, a certain number of “starters” for each week, and an additional number of players on your “bench.”  The rosters are primarily made up of offensive players (quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, etc.), though team defenses are also usually included.  The reason it’s called fantasy football is that the players on a fantasy team actually play on many different NFL teams.

At the beginning of the season, each manager sets his or her draft board, and tries to select the most top-notch players possible.  Then each week, he or she must manage their team, deciding whether to pick up available players on waivers or as a free agent, as well as setting their starting lineup.  The hosting platform for the league (we use Yahoo) has “experts” who will project expected point totals for each player to help the managers make the best decisions on whom to play. 

Perhaps this sounds complicated, but it’s all quite easy actually.  Except for making the right decisions!

If there is any simple exercise that demonstrates uncertainty better, I don’t know what it is.  The “experts” project the expected points each player will earn that week, so in theory setting one’s starting lineup should be easy.  Just plug in the highest projected scorers on your team each week and you are good to go! 

Except that the “experts” are only making educated guesses.  In reality, they have no idea.  Each week some players expected to earn many points actually score only a few or even none, while some players expected to do little rack up huge point days.  Some in your starting roster tank, while some on your bench explode. 

Furthermore, it can happen that some players unexpectedly don’t play in that week’s game, getting pulled from the lineup at the last minute; others get hurt early on and are knocked out of the contest.  And sometimes most of the players on your team have lousy games, which usually results in an “L” for your team.

All of which slots fantasy football into the designation of “totally out of control!”  Not the experts, not the “owners,” not even the actual players, not anyone truly knows what will happen.

There is certainly some expertise involved in doing well in fantasy football.  But in reality, the winners each week and the champions of the league won by sheer good fortune.  They lucked out in their draft, in their players’ good health, in some of their decisions, and through opponents’ misfortune.

Which makes fantasy football a sort of microcosm of life.  Obviously, life decisions are far more important than fantasy football ones.  But the uncertainty in both is the same!

What field should I study for in college?  Which job should I take?  Where should we live?  Where should we send the kids to school?  Which of my many responsibilities is the most important at the moment?  How should we deal with this particular challenge?  How do we capitalize on this unexpected blessing?

Uncertainty is everywhere; unexpected turn of events are frequent. 

For example, two years ago to the day as I write this I had surgery to remove my left kidney, which the doctors expected was cancerous.  (It wasn’t, thanks be to God!)  Regardless, I had no idea that was coming.  In fact, I had never been hospitalized before. 

A year and a half ago the country (the world!) was largely shut down due to a pandemic.  No one saw that looming. 

Shortly after COVID hit, I began this blog.  I never anticipated that twist. 

In just the past six months, my wife has had multiple eye surgeries due to a detached retinue.  That definitely wasn’t on our bucket list of things to do. 

This past week both of my parents were diagnosed with COVID.  That wasn’t expected either.

You have your own drastic personal examples you could list.  It certainly seems that our life, our society, our world is totally out of control.

Well, it IS totally out of OUR control.  But it’s totally IN God’s control.

The Bible tells us, “… In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).  Notice the emphasis.  It’s not just in a few things.  Not just in some things.  Not even in most things.  But in ALL things God works for the good of his believers.

That unplanned kidney surgery?  It showed me some health matters of which I need to be aware, and allowed others the privilege of stepping up in ministry in our congregation. 

The pandemic?  As difficult as it has been and continues to be, the Lord is using it to accomplish many positive things – some obvious; others less so but which will be recognized one day. 

The unexpected blog?  Some people actually read it!  And now I use it as the basis for a weekly Bible study in our Wednesday evening services.  (That was totally unanticipated – at least by me.) 

My wife’s eye surgeries?  While always grateful for her sight, she has an even loftier appreciation of the gift of seeing now. 

My parents coming down with the virus?  The blessings aren’t all clear at the moment, but I have no doubt whatsoever that they are coming. 

And then there are the greatest blessings of all when struggling through hardships: God working in us through his Word and drawing us closer to him – helping us recognize how much we need him, how much he loves us, how good he always is … in all things, and how we have a much more wonderful life awaiting us in heaven.

“All this is for your benefit. … Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:15-18 – selected).

Things totally out of control?  Out of our control?  Always.  Out of God’s?  Never!