Kelly
08-15-2008, 06:23 PM
My college pastor runs a church in San Antonio and he sends me updates every now and then. I just got this message from him. Thought I'd share it :)
Are you watching the Olympics? Maybe not at this very moment… but are you taking any time to watch the best athletes in the world compete for personal satisfaction, for people at home, and for the prize (gold)? My family has spent the past few evenings watching gymnastics and swimming. It is always a thrill to see our country represented well by a great runner, a great boxer, or a great swimmer.
Above our patriotic desires we have the common ground of humanity that gets us excited about seeing someone bring it.
The phrase bring it used to be longer. It was bring your "A" game. It meant that you were to bring to the basketball court everthing that you need to play at your best. Nothing was to be left in reserve. Everything that you are was to be employed in the competition to win.
Sometimes bringing everything that I am is a struggle. As I consider the tasks before me and the promise of pain that comes with trying hard I sometimes want to shrink back. When I think about a future that could involve me failing giving up or not trying begins to look pretty good. But make no mistake while the world is booing, while the forces of hell are beating against us, and while the fallen human nature seeks ways to avoid the rigor of giving everthing to serving Jesus… God says, "Bring it!"
How? Here are three things to help when bringing it to God.
Bring it hurriedly. If you are not a Christian then your delay is a terrible risk. God does not want to condemn anyone. (John 3:16-18) However, the idea that God is wrong for sending people to hell is rooted in a romantic and humanistic view of God. The God that takes everyone to heaven regardless of how they have lived is unbiblical and overlooks His earnest and gracious appeals to be saved. If you are a Christian, bring your life to God as soon as possible. Why? In the light of His great mercies towards coming hurriedly is reasonable. (Romans 12:1-2) Why? In the light of the fact that we bear His image and His name is right; we belong to God. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2 Chronicles 7:14) Render to God the things that are God’s. (Matthew 2:21)
If you need an image to inspire you… think about the basketball player waiting to get in the game on the sidelines. The coach does not have to ask him twice. With eagerness he goes onto the court to render to His coach and His team a service that helps win the game.
Bring it happily. (2 Corinthians 9:7) The Lord does not delight in feigned or forced worship. He restores fellowship so that we can have His best and give Him the praise that is His due. In the same way that we are glad to cheer for the athlete that performs well we should be glad about the opportunity to worship our Creator and Redeemer.
Bring it humbly. (Romans 3:10; 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10) If you have read this far you are almost done. Make sure you add this piece to the how-to on bringing it to God.
Fact: I am not God’s gift to the world.
I have to periodically remind myself that my good standing with God is not based on my outstanding character (tongue in cheek). Rather, it's based on the outstanding character and sacrifice of Jesus. It was my character that made His sacrifice necessary. This outlook motivates me to serve out of gratitude. And this way of thinking helps produce grace for those who need help.
I hope we all get to watch more of the Olympics. As we watch, perhaps we will think a bit about the zeal of the various athletes in the service of the people and countries they love. Maybe, as we watch, we will be inspired to bring it to God.
Are you watching the Olympics? Maybe not at this very moment… but are you taking any time to watch the best athletes in the world compete for personal satisfaction, for people at home, and for the prize (gold)? My family has spent the past few evenings watching gymnastics and swimming. It is always a thrill to see our country represented well by a great runner, a great boxer, or a great swimmer.
Above our patriotic desires we have the common ground of humanity that gets us excited about seeing someone bring it.
The phrase bring it used to be longer. It was bring your "A" game. It meant that you were to bring to the basketball court everthing that you need to play at your best. Nothing was to be left in reserve. Everything that you are was to be employed in the competition to win.
Sometimes bringing everything that I am is a struggle. As I consider the tasks before me and the promise of pain that comes with trying hard I sometimes want to shrink back. When I think about a future that could involve me failing giving up or not trying begins to look pretty good. But make no mistake while the world is booing, while the forces of hell are beating against us, and while the fallen human nature seeks ways to avoid the rigor of giving everthing to serving Jesus… God says, "Bring it!"
How? Here are three things to help when bringing it to God.
Bring it hurriedly. If you are not a Christian then your delay is a terrible risk. God does not want to condemn anyone. (John 3:16-18) However, the idea that God is wrong for sending people to hell is rooted in a romantic and humanistic view of God. The God that takes everyone to heaven regardless of how they have lived is unbiblical and overlooks His earnest and gracious appeals to be saved. If you are a Christian, bring your life to God as soon as possible. Why? In the light of His great mercies towards coming hurriedly is reasonable. (Romans 12:1-2) Why? In the light of the fact that we bear His image and His name is right; we belong to God. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2 Chronicles 7:14) Render to God the things that are God’s. (Matthew 2:21)
If you need an image to inspire you… think about the basketball player waiting to get in the game on the sidelines. The coach does not have to ask him twice. With eagerness he goes onto the court to render to His coach and His team a service that helps win the game.
Bring it happily. (2 Corinthians 9:7) The Lord does not delight in feigned or forced worship. He restores fellowship so that we can have His best and give Him the praise that is His due. In the same way that we are glad to cheer for the athlete that performs well we should be glad about the opportunity to worship our Creator and Redeemer.
Bring it humbly. (Romans 3:10; 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10) If you have read this far you are almost done. Make sure you add this piece to the how-to on bringing it to God.
Fact: I am not God’s gift to the world.
I have to periodically remind myself that my good standing with God is not based on my outstanding character (tongue in cheek). Rather, it's based on the outstanding character and sacrifice of Jesus. It was my character that made His sacrifice necessary. This outlook motivates me to serve out of gratitude. And this way of thinking helps produce grace for those who need help.
I hope we all get to watch more of the Olympics. As we watch, perhaps we will think a bit about the zeal of the various athletes in the service of the people and countries they love. Maybe, as we watch, we will be inspired to bring it to God.