As an athletic director I had to make a schedule for each
team… that required intentionality in how many games, where they would be, who
they would be against, etc. One thing that was very clear was that the schedule
needed to be balanced… we couldn’t play all of our games at home… we hade to
enter into the opponent’s territory or meet at some neutral sites. One thing
that was clear, was that most schools would only play at our place if we were
willing to also go to theirs…
The simple reason this came to mind is due to a message I
preached recently from the book of 1 Peter chapter 2, and from a devotion I
posted on here a couple of weeks ago. I emphasized a word in verse 12, AMONG,
and reminded us that we are called to (as I put it in the previous devotion) “that we
can’t make a difference from the bench… or even from the training situations…
no matter how many shots you make in practice or warm-ups. They count zero in
the game!”
As, I was sharing this passage again, it dawned on me
that we often hear challenges to make sure we are faithfully reaching out… that
the ministry of the church is outside of the walls. And I do, and have often
taught, agree that we need to be more intentional in that way. Yet, that
doesn’t negate the importance of what we do inside the walls either…
The bottom line is, like good athletic directors, we must
create a balanced schedule in which we schedule time “home” and “away.” We
should keep inviting folks to come to our place; and we should in turn be
willing to go to theirs… and if that is not a good option find a neutral site…
Bottom line is that we need to make sure we are gaining
an audience with those we are trying to reach! That involves planning…
intentionality…
1 Corinthians 15: 58 Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The word ABOUNDING has the idea in Greek of not just exceeding
but also of excellence!
MAP2MAD: Make A Plan to Make A Difference
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