Missing the Cinderella Story

March Madness is always a highlight on the sports calendar, as I have enjoyed the yearly NCAA Tournament for decades now. It’s always been a blast to witness a buzzer-beater, a game-tying 3, and a surprising upset. Each year, legends emerge, coaches become revered, and fans go crazy.

So far through the first weekend of this year’s tournament, we’ve experienced all of that, as these are some of the biggest and most memorable moments:

• Dylan Darling made a true buzzer-beating layup after driving to the hoop with just under 4 seconds to go to send St. John’s to their first Sweet 16 since 1999.

  
  

• Chase Johnston hit the game-winning layup, which was his first 2-pointer of the season, to help 12-seeded High Point upset 5-seeded Wisconsin.

  
  

• VCU overcame a 19-point deficit to knock out UNC in overtime.

  
  

• Nebraska is heading to its first Sweet 16 appearance after Braden Frager made a game-winning layup over Vanderbilt, who, on the next play, barely missed a potential half-court heave that just rimmed out.

  
  

• Kentucky and Santa Clara had an epic first-round battle that included a 3-pointer, which gave Santa Clara a 73-70 lead with 2.4 seconds left, until Kentucky's Otega Oweh banked in a miracle 3 that sent the game to overtime, where Kentucky won.

  
  

• 9-seeded Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras knocked down a game-winning corner 3 to send home the reigning champion Florida Gators.

We’ve seen some awesome games, and the fans are loving March Madness as the TV audiences have been large. However, as much as I’ve enjoyed watching the tournament so far, it’s obvious that something is still missing. That, of course, is the Cinderella story!

As this tournament heads into the second weekend, we're missing out on a mid-major school getting into the Sweet 16 and capturing the attention of the college basketball world.

What has made the tournament special over the years and the reason for the “Madness” has been those surprise teams out of nowhere who break people’s brackets as they pull off multiple upsets over major programs.

According to ESPN Research, “This is the second straight year the Sweet 16 is made up of only major conference schools -- the only two instances in NCAA tournament history in which the final 16 teams are all from major conferences.”

Also, this is the fourth straight year that only one double-digit seed made it to the Sweet 16. This year, it’s 11-seeded Texas.

Don’t get me wrong, we have some great matchups ahead of us involving the top seeds, but there's no denying we are missing out on a mid-major Cinderella.

We know this is a result of the NIL and transfer portal, but I hope college basketball will recognize that the tournament is better with Cinderella stories and make some tweaks so we can experience them again.

Just like the NCAA Tournament gives us so much every year and always delivers, we know that God always comes through and has given us everything we need in Christ.

Jesus paid the punishment for our sin on the cross and conquered death, and when our faith is in Him, we receive salvation and eternal life. We are free and victorious, and the Holy Spirit lives within us.

As followers of Jesus, we experience His goodness and grace, and we witness His transforming power in our lives.

At the same time, are there “tournaments” or seasons when something seems to be missing? Is there fruit missing in our lives? Are there blessings we’re missing out on?

Just as the tournament is better with Cinderellas, our lives are better when we're enjoying the blessings of a Jesus-following, faith-filled, Holy, obedient life marked by spiritual fruit.

Galatians 5 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

So, if fruit is missing in our lives, then we must check our connection with Jesus and decide to remain close to Him.

Jesus says in John 15:5 (NLT), “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

When it comes to decision-making in life, are we missing out on having wisdom and an understanding of what’s best because we don’t ask? 

James 1:5 (ES) explains, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Bible is also filled with examples of what it means to live a truly blessed life, so let’s not miss out, as it really comes down to obeying God’s Word and trusting Him. 

In Luke 11:28 (NLT), “Jesus replied, 'But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'”

James 1:25 (NLT) encourages us, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

Psalm 119:2 (AMP) reminds us, “Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart.”

As we realize college basketball fans are missing out by not having mid-majors in the Sweet 16 and acknowledge March Madness is better when we’re given Cinderellas, let’s be encouraged not to miss out on the blessings God wants to give us if we trust and obey Him.

Psalm 37:3-5 (ESV) implores us to “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”

Psalm 34:8 (AMP) states, “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

Today, let’s acknowledge that a fruitful life is better, and we experience one as we follow Jesus, delight in the Lord, and find our refuge in Him.

Now, that beats a Cinderella story!

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful to know You and to know I have eternal life because of Jesus. I also desire to live a blessed life filled with spiritual fruit as I remain close to Jesus and depend on Your strength and power. Help me to trust You and obey You because I don’t want to miss out on Your blessings! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.