Game On!

I have become very intolerant of the word tolerance. It presents a facade that we can easily fall into for what some would label quiet, loving, non-judgmental, and even politically correct. Living in a world of "tolerance" can often distract from that which we are called to do, as followers of Jesus. Whether we are being tempted to neglect our duty to forgive, gossip with a girlfriend, break our wedding vows, or take it upon ourselves to cast judgment on those around us, we are constantly being pulled to disconnect from the Holy Spirit. Temptation is an inevitable part of life. Giving in to our temptations doesn’t have to be. After all, this life is "warfare" girlfriends!

A well built support system is key to spiritual survival. Living your life with purpose and intent isn’t something that just comes naturally, and it’s not a DIY sort of thing. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team of effort to rise above the sin that tempts us all, after all we have to label it is for what it is, right? Not one of us is above it.

Designing your spiritual accountability team is much like building a team for any number of sports. First off, you need a coach. Someone with complete knowledge of the game and a clear cut view of the direction in which each player needs to go. Who better to design your play book than the Creator of the game?

Next you’ll want to have a rulebook that gives concise guidelines on how to play by the Creator’s rules. Good thing He wrote that autobiography, the Bible, huh?

Now, with your Coach guiding you, and the rules of engagement laid out for you, a team captain would be a great addition. You want a captain with Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows how to get the job done and how to help you do that which the Coach has called you to do.

So, what’s left? Oh, the players, of course. Assemble the best of friends, also centered in Christ, and you’re on your way!

The only thing left is the pep-talk! Here’s a perfect fit for the game of life…check out what Galations 6 says...

^1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

^7-8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life.

Game On!

P.S. "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."

If we are wounded we see life as wounded.
If we are angry we see life angrily.
If we are ashamed we see life ashamed.
If we are cheerful we see life optimistically.
If we are hard and unmoving we will see life and hard and unmoving.

Since we are all unique in Gods eyes, don't allow yourself to be your only point of reference
when it comes to how you see life.

Whose eyes are you using when you see yourself, your relationships, your worth, your talents, your occupations?
Have you by choice tainted your journey ahead?