True Happiness

So my beloved Jayhawks have made it to the championship game?  Seems to be a miracle if one looks at where they came from.  This  is a team who lost four starters off a great squad last year that many considered to be the best team in college basketball.  Returning only one starter, KU relied on backups from last year to turn into leaders, which they did, culminating in national player-of-the-year candidate Thomas Robinson, a man who only saw the floor for 13 minutes a game last year.  Their 6th man, a guy they rely on to shoot the critical three-pointer, was originally a walk-on.  On top of all of this, KU's top three freshmen were declared ineligible just before the season.  All three were expected to make immediate contributions.  All this begs the question:

How on earth is this team playing for a national championship Monday night?

If you listen to the talking heads on TV, nobody is giving KU a chance.  But then KU relishes this underdog role.  They weren't supposed to beat UNC in the regional championship game.  They weren't supposed to beat OSU in the final four last night.  This squad who lost to Davidson of all teams earlier in the season just keeps defying the odds.  Monday's matchup will be no different.

KU is playing a Kentucky team that was expected to win it all from the beginning of the season, and really hasn't been tested in this tournament so far.  With the exception of two nights they forgot to show up this year, they have been steamrolling their competition, KU included (early-season 75-65 at MSG,) and expect this rematch to go their way again.  It's nearly a foregone conclusion.

One of two scenerios are going to come to fruition Monday night. 
1. Kentucky beats Kansas as expected.
2. Kansas upsets them, and give the talking heads something to blabber about Tuesday.

Here's where it gets tricky. 

Either way, it's not going to make me happy.

That's the kicker.  True happiness doesn't come from the outcome of a game.  Quick, without googling it, who was the NCAA Champion in 1980?  Maybe a couple might be able to come up with the answer right off the top of their heads (especially the Louisville fans who are all bummed this morning) but the point is that the spotlight fades.  Teams make their mark, and a few years later are forgotten.  It's just like that line from Tin Cup where Roy McAvoy's girlfriend, after Roy blows a certain US Open win with his pride then inexplicably nails an impossible shot, trys to console him.  "No one's going to remember the Open 10 years from now, who won...but they'll remember your 12!"

Tomorrow night if Kansas somehow finds a way to upset Kentucky, I will be happy, but for how long?  I use KU's 2008 championship season as bragging rights, but KU's championship doesn't make me truly happy.  Just like Boston breaking the dreaded Curse of the Bambino in 2004 didn't truly make me happy.  The word is euphoria.  Too often we mistake euphoria with happiness.

True happiness can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It's been preached for a long time and many try to ignore it for American dreams, out of pride, or just to not be "religious."  But just like love, happiness comes from our loving God, and for this, not tomorrow night's outcome, will I be truly happy.