What's the Game Plan?

Most sports teams use some kind of huddle when they are playing a game. The team comes together to receive instructions; have a chat or discussion about what they are all supposed to do next. The people in the huddle usually are a tight knit group, very familiar with each other. They are close and count on each individual to do their part. A huddle is important because it gets everyone facing the same direction, on the same page, and following the game plan. Otherwise, it's easy for chaos to reign. It's pretty painful to watch football players run around like chickens with their heads cut off because they don't know what's going on. So many beautiful throws not caught because the receiver went a different route. So many missed opportunities to score or win because someone didn't follow the plan.

And while huddles are essentials for all those reasons, imagine if a team always stayed in one? Picture the Dallas Cowboys or the ASU Sun Devils (boo) on the field in the huddle and they never say, "Break". They just remain in their little circle of players, in the middle of the field, oblivious to whatever is going around them. They just keep chatting, slapping each other on the butt, laughing, making plans for the weekend, telling each other how great they are, and how glad they are to be part of this amazing team! Ignoring the fans, the other team, the officials, and all the people who came to be a part and watch the game.

That would be awkward right? Disappointing? Maybe even expected from some teams because we know how full of themselves they are right?

But how does this apply when it comes to church? Doesn't it seem churches are doing kind of the same thing ....staying in the huddle or our tight knit groups, congratulating ourselves on how good we are doing but never really executing the game plan? We might be pretty good at putting together a great Sunday service for our members or having an awesome VBS that consists mainly of church kids but how well are we following the Great Commission? 

"Well, we have those words in our bylaws and we have an outreach program, and we do lots of neat stuff for the underprivileged like packing shoe boxes, backpacks, food and diaper drives, cleaning up schools once a year, and giving Christmas presents for kids with parents in prison!"

All of that is helpful and definite ways to get people involved with serving others...but the Great Commission states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Jesus is not asking you to create a program or an annual event you put on the church calendar. He is CALLING you to a way of life!

"Huddles" in churches are important! You want to build community, deepen relationships, be close to one another, and be brothers and sisters in Christ so you can lean on each other to face the world! 

But when we fail to truly execute the God-size plan, the call  on our lives to go and make disciples of everyone, we miss out on one of the reasons we needed a Savior. We miss so many opportunities to deepen our faith by reaching out to others and being part of the bigger purpose in our lives. The mission is crystal clear! God didn't give us a suggestion. He didn't say go if you feel like it or can fit it in your busy calendar. He didn't give you the option of sitting on the sidelines because you feel uncomfortable or don't think you really know what you are doing. He commanded us to GO! We all have a part to play, a route to take, a pass to catch. Let's break out of our "Holy church huddles" and start executing the game plan! Let's start inviting people into a life-giving and life-changing relationship with Jesus!  

Front Row Seats!

A few months ago, I had the honor and privilege of baptizing a friend of mine. When he first asked, I thought he texted the wrong person! Are you sure you meant me? It kind of caught me off guard because I kept thinking I am not a pastor, I don't know how to do this really. It seems too colossal to screw up!

After my initial freak out, I realized this request WRECKED me! I couldn't stop crying all day. I was overwhelmed with the bigness of God working through this young man. I was in awe of how God pursued him relentlessly, knowing He had plans for him. I was also extremely grateful that God gave me the chance to have front row seats and be a small part of Ricky's journey.

It was an experience I will never forget.

That night when I went to bed I looked over at Bryan and cried, "I want everyone to have front row seats! I wish they could experience something like I did today because it was such a blessing! I want everyone to 'get' that investing in the lives of others is so worth it because you end up being blessed ten-fold! I know that sometimes it's hard, time consuming, messy, and even hurtful to walk alongside people, but if everyone could even catch a glimpse of what it's like to see God's amazing works through others they would all want to be a part! It's not just about being able to baptize others. It's being a part of their weddings, graduations, funerals, baby showers, housewarmings, sports events, piano recitals, and life in general. It's watching people take baby steps, falling down, helping them get back up, dusting them off, and pointing them in the right direction. It's seeing them own their relationship with Jesus, use their gifts and talents to give back to others, go on mission trips, teach in church, lead worship, grow small groups, have good marriages, and be lights in the world!"

"Bryan, why doesn't everyone want to do this? Don't they see? The last 20 years with Jesus and loving on people has been like having front row seats to the most epic movie ever! I can't imagine doing it differently! It's not because we are great people it's because we serve A GREAT GOD!" 

My husband looks at me to see if I am finished with my exuberant speech and simply says, "Kimberley, many think the cost is too high."

Huh? NO! I will not take that answer anymore. When I think of the cost I think of the cross...I am so glad Jesus didn't look at me and think, "Hmmm this one really is kind of a screw up. She is drama, has a lot of baggage, and she keeps making the same dumb mistakes. This girl is broken; it will take too much work. She is not worth it." I will continue to shout it and I am a LOUD girl, that loving on others IS WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR! This is not something good Christians should do, it should be WHO WE ARE! God is inviting us to sit in the front row seats cheering people on in His name!

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)