Football and Orphans

John Dutton has a distinction of having two things few people have: a Wikipedia page and his image on the cover of an Xbox game.  A quarterback for the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League has John starting another season, beginning with practice this month.  In 2005, he led the Colorado Crush to the Arena Bowl title and he continues to use his skills as a quarterback now for Cleveland.

Now if you know me, you might be curious why I would have any interest in John, because I have little interest in football, and it might surprise you I even know that Arena Football exists.  However, I have an immense interest in John, even though I've never watched a single Arena Football game.

My focus comes into play for two reasons.  First, John is part of our church.  When he is available his towering presence sits on the west side of the room, along with his family.  Second, John's family are missionaries sponsored by our church, running a ministry to orphans in Ethiopia.  You don't see John much at church, because he is either running plays on a football field or he is working with parentless children on another continent.  Heavenly Hope Ministries offers an amazing chance for children to know the love of caring people.  John uses his skills at football to make his life count for the Kingdom of God.  Recently, he even spent the night with children and bugs in the streets, to get to know their life.

John, I probably won't ever play Arena Football on the Xbox, I just might watch an Arena Football game if there is a chance, because I know you.  But know I follow your career because for me you are hero because you model a life lived for the Kingdom of God.

Raising Men

I have 3 boys, who in rapid speed are becoming men.  As each day passes, I realize the empty refrigerator, multiple taxi runs, and noisy evenings are all signs of them growing and maturing.  I find myself sacrificing time in the morning to get up early and get them to school and to give up weekends sleeping in to make sure they get to numerous events.  My oldest, Jon, is growing the fastest.  In his 14 years he is managing to reach 6'3", size 15 shoes, and now is borrowing my books to read.  This invasion of my library and through his unusually large, costly shoes he has grabbed my attention.  He is even beginning to do things with his computer that I didn't know how to do.  I'm beginning to realize I'm watching him transform from the baby I once knew to a man who will someday surpass me in many ways.

Tuesday mornings let me see this same process from a different perspective.  I've been meeting with 22 men for Bible Study.  They range in age from their early 20's to their mid-80's.  I'm in middle, but in the role of teacher and mentor.  When my alarm goes off at 5:30 am, I ponder why I am doing this, but at 6:30 am something magical happens.  These men come in and I see their commitment to grow in their walk with Christ.  They are at many maturity levels in their Christian walk.  For some the concepts are new and exciting.  When I listen to the answers of others I realize I'm privileged to be teaching men who have surpassed me in some areas.  Getting up early, preparing a study during the week for them has become an adventure.  Some of them are borrowing my books, joining other ventures with me, and helping me expand my view of the Kingdom of God.  I look at these men and enjoy every moment of their growth as men of God.  As I watch them grow, I look to the future, making sure I'm prepared for the bigger role many of them will take in the church and preparing material to grow them more in the future.

Make a commitment to grow.  Babies and children are cute, but if over time they never grow, that is a tragedy.  There is an adventure in growing spiritually and an excitement which is found in no other place.

And Jon, I anticipate you'll keep growing in your faith and your stature...that's why we bought 2 pairs of size 18 shoes and hid them in our closet.

Turning Down $12 Million

Gil Meche turned down $12 million dollars last week, for one simple reason.  He said he doesn't deserve it.  A pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, he finished out last season 0-5, and his career with the Royals is 29-39 games.  When asked why he made his choice, he said, “When I signed my contract, my main goal was to earn it.”

I find with rewards, we have two equally wrong attitudes with God.  We either feel we deserve whatever we can get from God or we shouldn't receive anything at all.  Sometimes the attitude is one of living our lives however we choose, then wondering why God doesn't bless us in every way.  In Jeremiah 7, God equates this to being a robber.   We take what isn't earned through deeds or relationship and expect the rewards of knowing God to be ours.

Sometimes we try to earn what God has for us.  This is an equally frustrating attitude.  Like Meche, we pitch less than average with God's standards.  The ball falls short of home plate.  If we wait for receive God's blessings until we deserve them, we will never have them.  So what can we do?

Its a mistake to expect God's treasures and demand them.  It is also a mistake to try to earn them.  There is no way to merit God's favor.  Your place on the team is guaranteed by God who paid the price for what you receive on the Cross.  You can't earn what Christ has bought for you nor can you demand what Christ freely gives.  It can only be had through relationship.  When you believe, accept what Jesus has done for you, the riches of Christ become your inheritance.

You don't need to rob God nor do you have to turn down what He offers.  He gives you a better country, a home which can never been taken away.  You need to find what He gives through your relationship with Him.   We need to think of our heavenly country as Meche does of his home state. He says, "Everywhere I’ve been in the country, for some reason, this is the place I can’t get away from.”