Overlooked Greatness

The 2025 World Series starts on Friday evening, as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to become baseball's first repeat champion in more than two decades, while the Toronto Blue Jays seek to bring home the hardware for the first time since 1993. 

With many sports fans captivated by the heart of the football regular season and the start of the NBA campaign, it has been easy for many to overlook the greatness of what has transpired this postseason, especially as it pertains to the Dodgers.

Up until this point, Los Angeles has lost only one postseason contest (a 9-1 overall record), having dominated the Reds, Phillies, and Brewers on its way to a second consecutive appearance in the Fall Classic.

But Los Angeles has not just been good on its way to the World Series; it has been truly historic.

In these playoffs, Dodgers starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 1.40 —the lowest mark ever for a team that has played at least ten postseason contests. That dominance was on full display in the NLCS against Milwaukee, as Los Angeles allowed a total of four runs over the course of the entire four-game series.

Of course, the highlight of Los Angeles' dominance in the NLCS occurred when two-way star Shohei Ohtani pieced together what is arguably the most remarkable individual postseason performance of all time.

Getting the start on the mound, Ohtani threw six innings of shutout ball, mowing down ten Milwaukee batters and looking completely dominant during the process.

And if that weren't enough, Ohtani put the bow on his legendary performance by clobbering three home runs at the plate on his way to helping his team clinch the pennant. Are we aware of how amazing this is and how incredible a player he is?

Needless to say, many sports fans have likely not fully appreciated the greatness of what has taken place in Los Angeles this October, whether they have been distracted by other events or grown numb to the Dodgers' performances given their recent track record of success.

In the same way, many followers of Jesus can unintentionally overlook the greatness of God as they go through life. Are we aware of how amazing He is and of the incredible things He does all around us?

With so many distractions fighting for our attention, we can be tempted not to take the time to really consider and meditate on the greatness of our God. 

Psalm 145:3 (ESV) tells us, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."

Ultimately, no matter how much time we take to seek to understand, we will never plumb the depths of His greatness. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue an increased knowledge of how majestic and glorious God is. Instead, we should recognize that no matter where we are in our current comprehension, there is still so much more for us to know and discover.

We must intentionally spend time seeking to grow in our understanding of God's greatness. That will primarily occur when we take the time to carefully read the Bible and meditate on what we learn about God.

Of course, because God is so great, we actually can grow numb to how great He is if we aren't careful. 

For instance, when was the last time you deeply considered the fact that God created all things? It is a fact that all Christians understand at some level, but it is also the sort of fact that, when meditated upon, should drive us to worship as we stand in awe of who God is and what He has done.

We should desire to be able to possess the same attitude and mindset that the Apostle Paul demonstrated when writing Romans 11:33-36 (NIV): "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’ 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?' For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen."

Today, let’s pause from our busy schedules to reflect upon the greatness of God. As we intentionally consider who He is and what He has done, may we be driven to a greater depth of understanding and awareness that results in praise, adoration, awe, and worship.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are more glorious than I can even comprehend. Please help me to continually grow in my understanding of how great You are, so that I will always view You with the reverence and awe that You deserve. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.