WIN WIN SITUATION

Ever been to a professional sporting event? Before the game, it’s full of tension and promise. We sit – waiting – sometimes the lights dim. The spotlight comes on, shining in a corner and suddenly you hear…


Welcome your Milwaukee Bucks – or Green Bay Packers – or Milwaukee Brewers.

The crowd jumps to their feet, cheering…they have no idea if there will be a win or loss…they are anticipating the best as they welcome THEIR TEAM to the floor.

What about worship?
It’s 7:55am – the worship team is making final preparations and as they walk up to the altar, we scarcely notice. They call us to stand – we do. They start to sing – we sing too. We listen – we sit – we go home – we are blessed.

What if the two situations were reversed?

What if we arrived in church filled with nervous anticipation? We come in. We do general admission, though some of us seem to think we have season seats.

We sit on the edge of our seats, exchanging pleasantries with those around us, but with one eye glued to the altar. Waiting, waiting…the worship team starts up the steps and we are on our feet cheering!!! GO BEN!! ALRIGHT LINDA!! YAY CHRIS!! This isn’t a sports team running in. It is something better…much better.

First - a song. Not the National Anthem, but more important – a call to everyone to worship. Clap your hands – raise them – a little swaying or gentle dancing? Perfectly acceptable. We finish and sit down smiling and nodding to each other – oh yes, it has begun.

Jump to your feet again. Here comes the pastor. This is our coach; the man who will show us how to play. He is the front of our team; the leader who encourages us to be the best. He pulls out his playbook (Bible) and you know something good is going to happen. It may not be a new play, but it is a play we all need to learn and do over and over again.

We are more than fans – we are the team. We are gearing up for an event bigger than opening day – more important than the Superbowl – more exciting than a 90 point tie with 2 seconds left. No one is on the bench. We are all starters. There is no end whistle for this game. There are no time outs. This is something we have to include in every conversation and with every breath. We are not looking for a win because we won when we showed up. We are not looking for more teams because in this there is only one team. We are not looking for rivals, because our God may have enemies, but He is the commissioner of life and has no rivals.

And when you leave the church, take the game to the streets. Grab your playbook and run to anyone who hasn’t signed with the team yet. We help everyone make the team. No unusual talent - just a little faith and  support. You may bring the next Christ-man Award winner to the team. So gear up and play like your life depends on it; because it does.


Now that would be a sporting event!