Going the Distance

As most of you know that read this blog every week, I love soccer! IT has been a privilege to be able to coach the varsity boys and girls teams at my school now for the last three years. Through this time, I have seen many athletes grow, improve, and enjoy the game as much as I do. The only bad thing about soccer that I have seen through the years is the number of injuries on the field. Many people may not think of soccer as a rough sport, but on the contrary, it is. Some of my players have coined the phrase "football without pads!" as a jive to the school's football team. It never fails that at least three to four times a season, and sometimes more, I will have to go onto the field and carry someone off. Now I like to think of myself as a strong individual. But there has been on an occasion that I was not able to carry some of my athletes off the field. I have coached some really big guys in my time. And there have been occasions that I have had to even carry those kids to the bus, which may be around 100 to 300 yards away. That gets tiring even for some of the girls that I have had to carry. But, it also never fails that many of their team mates pitch in to help. A lot of them will even carry the hurt players gym bag and the player at the same time. They take good care of each other no matter how difficult it may be. This reminds me of a story in the bible.

Luke 5:17-20
"One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”"

Here we see a group of men who were willing to go the distance for a friend. They knew that Jesus was there, and that He was performing miracles. The believed that Jesus could do the same for their friend. When they got to the house where Jesus was, they found that they could not get through the crowd. However, this did not deter them. They climbed onto the roof, carrying their friend as they did, tore a hole in the roof and lowered him down. I love the last verse in this story, especially how it begins. "Seeing their faith..." that being the faith of the paralytic's friends.

How have we gone the distance for someone lately. Have we ever really gone the distance to help those around us in need. Whether they are a friend or not makes no difference. Christianity is the only religion in which we are taught to love our enemies, and to do good to those who mistreat us.

Luke 6:27-28
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

There are many ways that we can go the distance for those around us. Imagine what it would be like if all Christians would resolve to go the distance for those around us every day. Lives would be changed, and people would become saved! So I encourage you today, go the distance when you see someone in need. You never know, God might have put them there just for you to help and witness to. And it might be all they need to finally put their faith in God and receive salvation.

Thanks for reading and God bless you all this week!

Needing Some Support

As I prepare for the upcoming soccer season at my school, I am in the stage of planning practices and strategies to help my team be successful this year. I have found that I have a couple of outstanding players, and I tend to plan around them. I make sure they those key people get the ball and go to work. However, these few athletes cannot do it alone. Without the support of the team, they themselves will never be successful. This made me think of the purpose of church in our lives.

Acts 2:44-47
"And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

It is very hard sometimes to go at it alone. It becomes lonely, and hard to complete the task at hand. But, when you have someone with you, it makes life a little bit easier. Just think about daily living. It is easier to witness to others when you have a brother or sister with you. It is also easier to fight temptations when you are around fellow believers. The support is also there when you are in need. This is one of the many functions of the church. To support the brethren. If you read through the book of Acts, you will see that even the Apostles traveled with companions on their journeys. They worked together, the prayed together, and even endured hardships together.

I love going to church on Wednesday nights. It gives me a chance to spend time with brothers and sisters, and gives me a spiritual booster shot to finish the week. As head of the FCA at my school, I along with two very special students, have organized bible study twice a week before school starts. This has also been a huge blessing to me. I feel strengthen by them when we pray together, and when we share God's word together.

Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

So I encourage you today, spend as much time with fellow believers as you can. Go to church as much as you can, whether it is actual church time, nightly bible studies, pray meetings, witness teams, or whatever is going on that gives you a chance to spend time with each other. Encourage each other. Support your brothers and sisters in their time of need. Share with them your struggles so that you have others praying for you and helping you. You will find that life is so much better when you are not alone.

Thanks for reading, and God Bless you all this week!