Different Pictures of Joy, From Vikings' Locker Room to Heaven

Have you ever noticed the joy in an NFL locker room after a big victory? If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, here’s one example.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated division rival Green Bay on Dec. 30, and quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the best games of his career. When he walked into the locker room, several teammates lifted him onto their shoulders.

First, let’s think about this from a sports perspective. A great performance allowed Darnold to be singled out, but the reaction reveals a group of men genuinely happy for someone else. The scene displayed a nice picture of teamwork. Everybody in that locker room rallied around the common goal of winning an important game.

Darnold could have thrown for a career-high 377 yards with three touchdowns in a loss, and the locker room would not have been the same. He may have received some pats on the back, or maybe a few “great effort” comments. But the happiness would have been missing.

Now let’s look at this from a spiritual perspective. Luke 15:7 says,

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

So imagine a scene in heaven when a sinner comes to repentance. The joy and cheering carry everlasting significance. It’s much more meaningful because of the eternal weight of surrendering to Jesus.

But there’s another avenue to explore. Consider two different people. One hasn’t committed to Christ. The other confessed and believed, but the person’s life doesn’t reveal a following of Jesus.

For the unbeliever, the heart’s path leads away from The Cross. And while everyone who believes in Jesus finds this heartbreaking, the person may feel a sense of individuality. In other words, the thought process may go like this, “This is my decision, and the only person impacted by it is me.”

But is that true? I suppose it could be if a person lived in extreme isolation. But for anyone living a life of unbelief, there’s always the possibility their decision will impact — if even in a small way — the decision of someone else.

And what if that someone else is deeply loved by this person? It’s one thing to give up on eternity for your own sake. But what if you take someone with you? The everlasting regret would be magnified, wouldn’t it?

Back to the other person whose life doesn’t reveal evidence of following Jesus. Again, look outside instead of within. What if your lack of commitment is seen by someone you love? And what if they never come to a heart knowledge of Jesus?

The truth is every person is given a chance to impact other lives. We can impact for the short term, or we can impact for eternity. And the interesting thing is, there’s no middle ground. It’s for, or against.

So let’s go back to the Vikings. Imagine — instead of Sam Darnold or an NFL locker room — someone you love walks to the foot of The Cross and confesses their belief in Jesus. You get to be part of the celebration as they enter into joy.

For Darnold and the Vikings, the joy lasted one week before they lost to the Lions with the NFC North title on the line. But the joy of Jesus is everlasting.

And what could be better than to bring someone you love along for a peace that never ends?