Have you ever been to a college campus during intramural sports? They often have the recreational leagues, and the competitive leagues. Recreational leagues are designed for students who don't want to win anything, who are just playing to have fun, or simply because they don't know what they are doing. The competitive league features teams who are in it to win it. They practice, get their head into it, and play to reach the prize.
I feel like way too often we are treating Christianity as intramural sports and we are either in the recreational or competitive league. Not that Christianity is a competition, but more in a sense of how seriously we go about living our lives as Christians.
I find that I see more people in the recreational league. This bothers me. What I mean by recreational league is tacking Jesus on as an accessory and not a life changing central force to life. They think its of good fun to add Jesus to their already 'just fine' lives. Throw in His name when it is convenient, and if they are in a slightly higher level of it they might leech their relationship with Christ off of their pastor or small group leader: taking the pouring in and never giving out. They probably know the bible, and know the story of Christ but to them it is just that -- a story. It is not an all consuming, transforming, awe inspiring, FACT. This is history people. Not a feel good story.
I had a friend come to me today feeling as if she wanted someone to come along side her within her relationship with Christ; someone to partner with her in prayer, and kind of be like a 'running buddy'. I say that in terms of sometimes we need an workout buddy to work by our side to pick us up off the couch on the days we don't want to hit the gym. It's a source of accountability. I feel the same comes in faith a lot.
Eccelsiastes 4:9-12 says this:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
So yes I find accountability vital. It says so in the bible. So when she mentioned she was having difficulty thinking of anyone, but then God led her to me, I was at first flattered! Then confused. We live on a Christian campus with so many people who proclaim their faith, why was she having difficulty finding people to come along side with her?
What I saw was this: my lovely friend does not 'kind of' pursue the Lord, or 'sometimes' read her word, she is full fledged RUNNING towards God. She gets it. She understands what bearing her cross means. She understands what Christ's sacrifice was. She understands that she was and is bought, covered in grace, loved beyond compare, and has a living breathing part of the Trinity within her (insert Holy Spirit party here). I admire her in a lot of ways, and I am honored to see that she felt I was running after Christ at the same pace as her. But I was super bummed to find that she didn't see that in very many people around her.
What are we doing?
I'm not about playing recreational Christianity anymore. If God is who He says He is, if Christ was a living sacrifice, a son of the Holy God, sent to die for my depravity; if I am truly covered in GRACE, called by faith, and boundlessly loved -- WHY AM I NOT GIVING MY EVERYTHING TO THIS GUY?!
Do we truly... I mean truly know what this means?
Why are we letting so much get in the way? Why are we muting the Holy Spirit within us, and only letting Him talk when we need answers? Why are we suddenly too busy to incorporate our SAVIOR into our busy everyday lives? Why are we so convinced that porn, weed, alcohol, TV, material things, gym memberships, a certain level of beauty, or a successful job are more fulfilling than Christ? Who are we to think we have control and can do it on our own? Do we even know who He is? Since when did he become our second, third, fourth, priority?
This isn't a game people. I'm done playing for fun.
I myself am not innocent. If I have not conquered all of those questions above, it's definitely most of them. Call me a hypocrite, but guess what? You are one too. We can't avoid our sinfulness. However, what we can do is have our sin lay us face down at the feet of God. We don't have to let it consume us, control us or bury us. We don't need to justify our sin, we need to eradicate it with the blood of the cross.
So guess what guys? I'm being called to the big leagues. I'm moving up to the the league of all out, passionate, relentless pursuit of God. I cannot guarantee I won't slip up, but there is no way I can truly live life without dying first. It's not me. It's not my name I want to make great. It's Christ's. HE is loving. HE is holy. He is King. Ruler. Victor. Now I lay my eyes on not what is today, but what is the prize. When I forget to set my sights upon eternity I pray someone would lift my face. I'm honestly lucky -- even though I don't believe in luck -- because I have this insane community surrounding me. I have been given the most beautiful gifts in the form of people. They encourage, inspire, love, and renew me. I pray that everyone of you reading this finds that too. I wish it for everyone wanting to fight the good fight, and run the race like you mean it.
This isn't meant to condemn anybody. In fact I hope you know that you're already covered. God saved, saves, and is saving us constantly. Myself included. We just need a wake up call sometimes.
No more half-ass Christianity.
You're being called to the big leagues too.
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