I love the story of what Michael Jordan did when he was
still with the Bulls; he started a thing called the Breakfast Club. I’ve made
references to this “club” in years past, and even used the name on many of our ministry
trips for our morning workout routines…
What is the Breakfast Club? It is a group of guys (like-minded
teammates) that started meeting with Michael in the mornings for working out
throughout the season. According to one of MJ’s business partners, “Most guys
dreaded their two-hour practice from 11 to 1. But a small group of guys, who
really wanted to push themselves, formed this Breakfast Club thing. They'd work
out a few times a week before practice. Then, when they were done working out,
some time between 9 and 9:15, Michael's chef cooked them breakfast. That's how
it really became the Breakfast Club. Those guys sat down to eat breakfast
together, and then they'd go the Berto Center for practice.”
Basically, Michael had developed a reputation of not just
being an incredibly skilled basketball player, but also an incredibly fit
player. In fact, he not only got stronger through his workout plans, he also became
more durable. I remember the amazing stories of how quickly he would get in
game shape to start seasons and how quickly he would recover from any wear and tear
on his body. And other players wanted to experience the same benefits. And some
credit these workouts to giving endurance on the careers of some other than MJ…
All of that to share something I noticed in the Scriptures
as I was preparing for a speaking engagement this morning… the importance of a “club”
mentality. I was actually speaking about “fasting” and encouraging students at
our school to fast on Wednesday; I mentioned the obvious of considering fasting
from food that day for the purpose of prayer… but then went on to mention that
it might be something other than, or in addition to, food… and encouraged a
phone fast that day…
As I studied the chronology of Holy Week, I found something
I had never noticed before. We can read many things that took place each day
from Jesus’ triumphal entry to the cross to the resurrection; yet on Wednesday
of that week, it doesn’t appear that anything is said about what Jesus did. In
other words, it seems that He took a day to get away… maybe to prepare for (get
stronger for) what Thursday would bring. I don’t know that He fasted from food
that day, but He obviously fasted from His social networking…
So here is where the “club” mentality comes in… we also
don’t read about what Peter did that day… or Matthew… or John… etc. Apparently,
they followed the pattern that Jesus set… all except Judas. He is talked about
on that day as he breaks away from the “club” of “like-minded teammates.” And
we see how vulnerable he becomes to temptation when he is not focused on Christ
and outside of the strength and accountability of the “club.” Wednesday appears
to be the day that Judas loses confidence in following Jesus and makes the
agreement to betray Jesus…
Are you surrounded by like-minded teammates that will
help you get stronger, and stay strong in the midst of temptations? Do those
around you help you stay focused on Christ? I hope this weekly devotion helps
you with that some…
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