PLAY TOGETHER!

I have been blessed to coach some very talented athletes- Guys who could do things on the court that simply blow me away. Athleticism through the roof- skills honed and refined by hours of sweat and pain on courts of hardwood or playgrounds of asphalt. As strong as any particular player might be, I have never seen any one guy who could play the game alone. Think about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest- the displays of individual Athleticism and Creativity can be incredible, but how much of that can you watch before losing interest? On the other hand there is nothing quite like watching a group of talented guys (or girls) come together in such a way that all are giving themselves to the larger purpose- Sacrificing themselves..........yet finding themselves all at once...

It is a beautiful thing.

Just like athleticism and skills only have real meaning in the context of a team- the Christian Life can only find it's fulfillment in the context of Community. Christianity is a Team Sport. Take a look at the scriptures- God starts out by saying it is not good for man to be alone Ecclesiastes tells us two are better than one-a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken Jesus had His twelve and an even closer group of three. God Himself exists in Community- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Church is a body of believers. Think about it- 1st John tells us God is Love- If that is so then Love by it's nature must exist in the context of relationship- Intimate, honest, authentic relationship. Being made in the image of God means we are made to Play Together. I do not believe we have much hope of really knowing God- Of truly uniting to His Heart- on our own. I am reminded of Jesus great prayer for us in John 17-My prayer is...that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You- may they also be in us. Father God, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit- Triune God- Three in One, move in me today and ever more to search out, take hold of and cling to Your body- the Church. Bring me into meaningful, intimate and deep relationships that reveal Your Heart and Your ways to me. Move me through those relationships to Love You with a more real and deeper Love- Teach me how to Love through those people you bring into my life. In the precious name of my Saviour, Amen.