On Friday we drove to Chicago to drop off our son Caleb
with Reign Ministries; he is going to Ireland for the summer to do mission
work. We continued then on to Colorado (where I am currently typing from) to
serve in a VBS and Basketball clinic with our partners from South County
Baptist Church in St Louis. (We love traveling to do outreach with them… they
are a second family to us.)
But with all the running, this old man gets asked at
times why we stay so busy. The simple answer is that it is my job… even from an
earthly perspective I get paid via support that comes to our ministry to be in
the game not on the sidelines. (And I do at times say “no” to requests… or
allow for a sub in my place.)
But the more detailed answer is the Biblical answer…
First: I am told in Scripture to be “always abounding in
the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58) [And yes I understand that has to be
coupled with commands to take Sabbath rest….] Simply put, “Players Play!” And
players should remember the wise words of Coach Wooden, “move, move, move!”
Second: when I pray about the opportunities presented to
our ministry I truly seek if I feel God is leading/directing. I want to follow
the plays that my Coach has diagramed for me; I want to be on the floor where
He designed; I want to cut through the lanes He designed; etc. I thought about
this as I thanked my dear friend Hank Dahl for being faithful to serve and be
in the position God designed for Him to mentor my son Caleb. Hank is the leader
of the Ireland team that Caleb is part of. And I believe with all of my heart
that God has directed Hank’s life to be in that position; and that Hank is
exercising faithfulness to follow that direction.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand that we should
walk in them.
Do you see the beautiful picture there… God, in His
omniscience (foreknowledge), saw that Hank Dahl would be one that responded to
the Gospel by faith (see Eph 2:8-9) and in His sovereignty (being in control)
He started diagraming plays for Hank… and Hank’s responsibility is to be on the
floor doing what God has designed. Therefore I thanked Hank Friday night for
that faithfulness…
Why am I running all over the country? In order to be on
the floor doing what God has designed. So this afternoon I will meet a new
group of kids on a basketball court in Gunnison, CO and have the privilege of
sharing that Christ is the Substitute sent into the game of life for us!
How about you? If you are a believer in the finished work
of Christ for your salvation then you are also a part of God’s team and thus
have plays diagrammed for you… are you walking in them? Are you abounding in
the work of the Lord? Move, move, move…
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