Sep
16
Written by:
Pastor Rob
9/16/2011 11:42 AM
I’ve spent some of this week reading and hearing the aftermath of the US Open tennis final last Sunday. In 4 hours and 10 minutes the new reigning number one (Djokovic of Serbia) completed what some are calling an all-time greatest season. 64 wins—including 3 major titles—and 10.6 million dollars. Even the reigning number two (Rafael Nadal), who lost the match, said during the award ceremony, "What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat. So well done."
But the real story here—even if you don’t follow tennis—is about the rivalry. Over the last 6 years men’s tennis has been dominated by three players (the third being Roger Federer) who have each elevated the game of the other and in the process elevated a handful in the next tier below. As one writer put it this week, "The anything-you-can-do-I-will-aim-to-do-better mind-set of the top three players has elevated the games of those like Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Mardy Fish who are in hot pursuit."
For better reasons and more lasting rewards God has designed relationships in the body of Christ to work in a similar way. We are all called to be in truth-filled relationships where others are part of helping build us up spiritually. Not to attain a trophy or prize money but an ever-deepening yes to God’s call in our lives. The writer of Hebrews puts forth this challenge: "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10.24).
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend an extended time away with a couple of close friends. Because we’ve known each other for a long while it takes little effort to be "speaking the truth in love" to one another as the Bible admonishes us to. With a genuine desire to see each of us be our best we played hard and, with God’s Word held firmly in one hand, left it all on the court.
Are you involved in this kind of community? Are there others, one or two, who are spurring you on to be your best, to a greater yes to God’s call in your life? If not don’t wait any longer. Start praying for that person, open yourself up to the possibility of joining with others in your faith-journey and get in the game of becoming all God has designed you to be.
If you are not in a community group you can check out some open groups this Sunday morning at GROUPLINK.
- Pastor Rob
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