Team Games and Coaches

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This is what happens when I sit on my front porch, rockin' or swingin'.  My mind starts to ponder.  This day I was looking at the basketball goal and there I went. . .a ponderin' . . . 

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I have to admit, I'm not a sports enthusiast.  But of all the sports, I would rather watch basketball than any other game.  I just know the the object of the game is between two teams, dribbling the ball until it can be shot at a net, hopefully going in and scoring a point or two or three.   At the end of the game, whoever has the most points win.  How's that from a non-sports gal?

It does make me ponder though about life.   You could say we are in a game here called "Life" and we will call Team #1 The Demons and Team #2 The Angels.  I bet you can guess who the coach is for each team.

One coach is a smooth talker.  Sometimes he builds one player up telling them how good they are and they don't need anyone.  They are the best and this coach puffs them up with pride and arrogance.  Other players, he makes them think they are nothing without something to make them feel good, to perform better. He makes those things look enticing but can actually hurt you and drag you down.  Every time you take that shot of drug, swallow that pill you don't need, lie, cheat, or steal, he's thinking, "That's one point for me."   He is not thinking of you and your best interest.  He is thinking of himself and how many points can be racked up for him.

Then there is the other coach.  All he thnks and cares about are the players.  he doesn't care about points.  He cares about hearts.  He would rather their self-esteem be in tact; that they are loved and love others with the unconditional love he teaches and models.  Yes, there are rules for this coach, but he wants us to abide by them because we want to, not because we've been coached to.

Coach #1 would love to see you fall and die for his cause.  Coach #2 wants you to have an abundant life.  He allowed his loved one to lay down his life so his players could live.

Coach#1 would have you jumping through hoops all your life, never being satisfied.  Coach #2 teaches that we can be satisfied and content in all circumstances; that we shouldn't focus on the hoops, just on him.

What coach #2 knows is that the game has already been won.  It just needs to play out.  Coach #1 also knows how this game ends.  So he is not coaching to win, but to bring defeat to as many players as he can along with himself.

For coach #1, at the end of the game, there will be no victory party for his players.  For coach#2, his players will be at a victory celebration like they have never seen before.

I'm on team #2, how about you?  If you are on team #1 right now, but would like to be on team #2, this is a game where you can switch over at any time you choose.

I hope to see you at the victory party!

"With God, we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.  (Opponents)

Psalm 60:12

PS~Dallas picked the right team.  Come watch him take that step of obedience at Living Hope this Sunday at 11:00 and rejoice with him :)