A couple of days ago, I was watching a show called E:60 on ESPN. They were covering a story on Reggie Love, a former Duke basketball and football player, who is serving as Barak Obama's personal assistant. In the story, I heard a quote that will not leave me alone.
Oh yeah...the US Men's Beach Volleyball team just beat Brazil for the Gold Medal!!!!!!
Okay, back to the quote that won't leave me alone. While at Duke, Love was suspended for getting pulled over for DUI. His BAC was under the legal limit, but he had had a few drinks. Coach K suspended him. As the coach told the story, he said this about Love,
"He learned that if you want to be a part of something bigger than you, then you'd better be a part of that every second, and if you're not, then you shouldn't be a part of it."
At the Springs, we are seeking to be part of something that is much bigger than ourselves. The question that pushes to the front of my mind after hearing this quote is, "Are we part of that every second?" What does that even mean? For some of us, we are definitely part of this every second. We have sacrificed and are currently sacrificing to see this dream become a reality. For others, we ride the fence somewhere...keeping old commitments and trying to add a few new ones along the way. Most of us may simply fall in the middle. My question is whether or not we can do this unless we have more people who are committed to "every second."
What does it mean to be part of the Springs "every second"? I have some ideas, but I'm not even sure if they are worth sharing right now. I'd like to hear from you. If you are part of the Springs, what does it mean for you? If you are not, then what does it mean for you to be a "spring" where you live? No matter where you live, God is calling those who follow him to live "every second, and if you're not then you shouldn't be a part of it."
This might be some good discussion...
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2 comments:
I am not sure where I would place myself on the continuum of being a part of The Springs 'every second.' To me, every second is a challenge because of the phase of life I am in... parenting a toddler! I am sure others could say the same for whatever reason. I am confused by what you are meaning with your pronouns in the post. In 'we are definitely a part of THIS every second' does 'this' mean the Springs or 'the dream'?
It seems to me that we must take careful stock in what we are giving every second to... an agenda, an idea, a dream, our earthly relationships, our relationship with Christ... Are the exclusive of each other? If we are giving every second, can it not by nature only be to one purpose?
Please explain... :o)
As Coach K indicated to Love, to be part of something bigger than yourself requires that you be a part of that thing every second. For me, as a spring (John 4) of living water, my highest calling is to live in a love relationship with Jesus. That is bigger than me and I cannot relegate that relationship to an hour or two on Sundays and maybe another meeting during the week. I am part of that "every second," much like I am a Gartman every second of everyday. For me, I am a Christ-follower, no matter my context.
In relation to our church, I believe that to be something bigger than myself also. Much more like Reggie Love was part of a Duke basketball team. The coach's point was that Reggie was not simply part of the team when he was at practice, but when he was out on Friday night also. For those of us who have committed to seeing Church @ the Springs be all God wants her to be, we cannot simply be a part on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, can we? We are the Church @ the Springs...meaning that we are Christ's Church wherever we live, wherever we work or wherever we chase our kids around.
My next post will be carry this thought further, but I hope this has made things a little clearer.
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