Filed under: Bible, Bio, Missional Living | Tags: cheerleading, Community, Jesus, kids, team
The girls have been cheerleading the past 3 months. Lets just say its been an experience. It’s taken more time, more money, and more commitment then we ever expected, but it’s also been a learning experience, I learned a lot about how negativity affects others, how overcommitment (even when it’s to good things) can really cause more harm then good, and how we as Christians can really constrain the work of God by justifying and spiritiualizing our actions instead of admitting our mistakes and failures.
But most of all, sitting here watching my girls practice for their cheer competition this weekend, I’m reminded of how important important camaraderie and community is, and how much we all want to be accepted. There is something about coming together as a team and accomplishing something that brings joy and purpose in spite of adversity and frustration. All the girls are frustrated, some are crying, the coach has been yelling, but once they hit their routine and succeed, all that disappears, and joy radiates off their faces.
I’m pretty sure the concept extends past cheerleading. God has created us to be a part of something bigger. To be a part of a team that is immersed in His story is what we were made for. Sure, God is not an overcommitted cheer coach, but He is cheering us on, calling us into our best. And when we live in that together, as a family, we experience His joy. The joy He created us for.
We are all wired to be connected with others, we’re wired to fulfill our purpose, and we’re created for something so much more on this earth then what we often settle for. One writer summed it up way better then I ever could in a letter he wrote to one of the first gatherings of Jesus followers. He wrote:
And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Think about that for awhile.
And go live it together.
