Monday, September 29, 2008

September 29, 2008 - Broken Teammates

This week’s devo will be short and to the point. There is an athletic example in it but I will also draw reference to a song that I have fallen in love with. Hopefully it will challenge and rebuke us!

The athletic side of the picture is one that reminds us that we are called to carry one another’s burdens. Galatians 6 talks of each one carrying his own load – that which is his responsibility. Yet it follows it up with what seems to be a contradiction as we are told to carry one another’s load. The Greek word used there caries the idea of that which is beyond the normal – a burden that is too heavy for the individual. (Read Galatians 6:1-10 for the Scriptural commands here.)

The visual came Saturday in a game. My 13-yr-old son drove to the basket and as he switched the ball to his left hand to go up one of the opposing players went for the block and fouled him. It was a good solid play yet my son remained on the floor. I finally left the stands to check on him and could immediately see his wrist was broken. It had turned under him as he hit the floor.

His coach and I jokingly asked him if he was going to shoot his free throws before going to the hospital. Yet it was obvious one of his teammates would have to carry that “burden” for him. (No pun intended with our last name being Burden.)

It was a very simple reminder that we need to be there for one another. Now onto the song - it is getting quite a bit of airplay. It is by an artist named Brandon Heath and is called “Give Me Your Eyes.” The song is very catchy and I liked it from the start. But the video is what convicted me.

The basis of the song is that a guy lands at an airport amidst all the hurriedness and chaos. His request is that the Lord give him the eyes to truly see the people and their needs. The fact is this: we as American Christians are just as caught up in our busy lives as the rest of the world and we fail to see our teammates who are “broken” and need our help. Plus we fail to see and miss multiple opportunities to be God’s instrument of grace to a lost and dying world!

Let’s step out of our selfishness and see people the way God sees them!

Check out Brandon's tune!

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