(image from Facebook)
As college football continues its seasonal reign at our house, my thoughts have drifted back to my own experience in organized athletics. I grew up in a small school district where if you could manage to chew gum and walk, you were a potential candidate for competitive sports; thus, I found myself attempting to play.
So there I was in Junior High, no more than 100 pounds soaking wet, trying to get my adolescent arms and legs to function in some sort of productive fashion to 'dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge' my way through the sports season. I got better over the next few years. . .sort of. I never was a 'natural', but I can appreciate the lessons my limited experience in athletics granted.
One of the most important things I took away was learning to be a team player. Nobody likes a show off or a ball hog. I don't care how old you are, everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated, and when one person tries to be the end all the rest are left behind choking on the dust. When everything you do is met with glowing approval, it is natural for the lime-light lover to start gauging their performance by their perceived popularity rather than the persistent perspiration applied toward a worthy goal.
There is a scriptural account of one such instance found in Moses that I would like to dissect and analyze (the scripture portion is in bold, my interpretations are in parentheses as seen below). Let me set it up for you. There is a pre-earth counsel being held where all of us are gathered to listen to our Father in Heaven outline a plan for us to become like Him. Most of us are excited and thrilled at the prospect a life on earth will afford; some, however are not sold on the whole consequence clause. He's just finished detailing the major points of this plan of happiness when one of our most recognized siblings (Lucifer) speaks up:
Moses 4
“Behold (Hey you, Dad! clamoring),here am I, (look at me!) send me(pick me, pick me!).
So there I was in Junior High, no more than 100 pounds soaking wet, trying to get my adolescent arms and legs to function in some sort of productive fashion to 'dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge' my way through the sports season. I got better over the next few years. . .sort of. I never was a 'natural', but I can appreciate the lessons my limited experience in athletics granted.
One of the most important things I took away was learning to be a team player. Nobody likes a show off or a ball hog. I don't care how old you are, everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated, and when one person tries to be the end all the rest are left behind choking on the dust. When everything you do is met with glowing approval, it is natural for the lime-light lover to start gauging their performance by their perceived popularity rather than the persistent perspiration applied toward a worthy goal.
There is a scriptural account of one such instance found in Moses that I would like to dissect and analyze (the scripture portion is in bold, my interpretations are in parentheses as seen below). Let me set it up for you. There is a pre-earth counsel being held where all of us are gathered to listen to our Father in Heaven outline a plan for us to become like Him. Most of us are excited and thrilled at the prospect a life on earth will afford; some, however are not sold on the whole consequence clause. He's just finished detailing the major points of this plan of happiness when one of our most recognized siblings (Lucifer) speaks up:
Moses 4
“Behold (Hey you, Dad! clamoring),here am I, (look at me!) send me(pick me, pick me!).
“I will be thy son”
(Here is a fundamental problem—he wants to be something and someone he simply
is not. He sees his current position as
a supporting role, and he wants the lead! He's not and never really has been a team player—he’s a ball hog.) and I will redeem
all mankind (I’ll do it. I’ll save
everybody, that’s what you want right?)that one soul shall
not be lost (How much is this like our current educational system—it’s all about
numbers and scores. No my friends, it is about vision—more to come on that.) and surely I will do
it (I’m dependable—I’ll get it done.
But how he goes about it is always the issue) wherefore give me
thine honor” (He seeks for power and not wisdom and without wisdom we can never
govern the power we hold.)
Lucifer is centered
in self referring to himself six times in this passage. It is always about 'I' and what he gets, rather than what he can give. Juxtapose this with our Savior’s response:
“FATHER (From the first moment our big brother is focused on something bigger than himself, as big brothers tend to be--I love you Nick!) thy will be done (For him it's a 'your way, not mine, I’m with you, you are not with me' attitude.) and the glory be thine forever" (He is rooted in a correct understanding of where all things emanate from. He has an attitude of gratitude, respect, and humility.)
Well, we all know who our Coach chose as Team Captain. It was the team-player, the go-to guy, the lay it on the line kind of competitor who wasn't in it for the trophy. It was Christ, and we also chose Him. We were team-players then and we would do well to remember now Shakespeare's immortal words as we fight to finish the fourth quarter out:
"What e'er thou art, act well thy part."
Each of us have been drafted and handpicked for this final inning. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Cor. 6:20) You are needed. You are vital to the team--please don't sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to call your number--GET IN THE GAME!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
“FATHER (From the first moment our big brother is focused on something bigger than himself, as big brothers tend to be--I love you Nick!) thy will be done (For him it's a 'your way, not mine, I’m with you, you are not with me' attitude.) and the glory be thine forever" (He is rooted in a correct understanding of where all things emanate from. He has an attitude of gratitude, respect, and humility.)
Well, we all know who our Coach chose as Team Captain. It was the team-player, the go-to guy, the lay it on the line kind of competitor who wasn't in it for the trophy. It was Christ, and we also chose Him. We were team-players then and we would do well to remember now Shakespeare's immortal words as we fight to finish the fourth quarter out:
"What e'er thou art, act well thy part."
Each of us have been drafted and handpicked for this final inning. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Cor. 6:20) You are needed. You are vital to the team--please don't sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to call your number--GET IN THE GAME!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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