The Locker Room
Sunday I shared a bit about how the Michigan Wolverines game Saturday was the tale of two halfs. The first half we got our butts kicked up and done the field. It was pretty bad to watch and quite frustrating! It was very apparent that our offense and our defense needed some serious help- we couldn’t do anything! But when they went into the locker room, they made some much needed adjustments and came out and played a completely different game in the second half. As most of you know, we ended up winning the game in dramatic fashion. This game has now become an instant classic. As I thought about this, I thought about Cross Current and even our lives. Maybe you have been through a tough season and you feel as though you have been beaten up and down the field. No matter what you have tried… no success! Deep levels of disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness and even despair have now made their home in you. Your question may be, ”why engage in serving again” “why even go back out and play?” “Is it even worth it?” “Maybe this is just the way its gonna be!” I want to encourage you keep going after Jesus and get back in the game…
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I listening to what the coach is saying? Don’t say that God is not speaking- He does. Whether its through the bible or directly to you or through someone else… sometimes one- sometimes all. Are you hearing Him and just have a tough time believing what he is saying?
Have I been in the locker room too long? Maybe the team already got back on the field and you find yourself being left behind a bit in what God is doing? This is a dangerous place to be and can result in bitterness, resenting God and others, poor me, victim mentality and will stifle your ability to help the team (church) move forward. Oh, there are always other players that God will put into play, but why not you? Go get suited up again and get back out and play— do your part even if you don’t ‘feel it’. Your team needs you.
Has the circumstances of the first half now turned into rebellion to his voice? Football teams only go into the locker room for 15-20 minutes. It’s used as a time to refresh, refill- and as a team, make any necessary adjustments so that the second half will be different. So has your locker room become a way of life now? Has your time of adjustment turned into years of stale living? Is God telling you get back out and play and you are simply not budging? Has your first half experience now become your god? I don’t think you want to keep missing the second half… get out and play and believe it will be better… and even if some things don’t, at least your in the game playing your position. Elijah got back on the field and had to go back and finish what God wanted. Paul had to get back on the field after being stoned and left for dead. Jesus got back on the field. Jonah got back on the field after being spit out of the whale and finished the work. Peter got back on the field after denying Jesus.
Will you allow for your broken, beat down, and wounded faith to rise up again? Without faith, you can’t please God. You won’t feel it much in the beginning. What’s He saying to you. He’s speaking… Pray! Trust! and get back out and play hard. Believe the second half will be better than the first. Believe that your the winner. People are waiting for your story to become their message.
God believes in you-I believe in you-you have what it takes- now go do it!
Pastor Mark
