Lately, I seem to be hearing the same message from God in sermons at church and in my devotionals. And when a message comes to me from multiple angles, it is my cue to listen up! This is probably something I need to hear and take to heart.
I think in the church today we've become selfish and comfortable. We are looking inward instead of outward. We want church to minister to US.
But guess what?
As followers of Christ, we are not here for US.
We've already been given the greatest gift possible.
Our purpose is to share that gift.
To communicate with others the love of Christ and all He did for us and them.
Why is it that we have no problem sharing a great recipe, or a new product, or a good book with others but we are reluctant to share Christ...the one thing that will benefit them eternally?
Randy Alcorn wrote in his devotional, Seeing the Unseen.....We tend to be passionate about things that don't matter, fanatics and fans about what won't last. But we are afraid to look like fanatics for Jesus. We seem determined to portion Jesus out in acceptable portions, unwilling to appear fools for Christ.
So I started thinking....what does a fanatic sports fan look like?
* They can't wait for their sport to come on
* They won't ever miss a game
* They wear their BEST team colors on game day
* They will give up sleep, comfort and time to stand in line to get tickets to see their favorite team
* they study the historic/present stats of that team and can spout ALL the facts, proudly, about them
* They support their team in good times and bad
* they don't care what others think of them being a fan of their team
* EVERYone knows they are a fan of their team
* they will discuss their team with ANYone who will listen, even those who won't
*their car, their house, even their office displays their support of their team
* they teach their children to love their team
* there is NO compromising or blending in with fans of another team
These are just a few I came up with.
I am sure you could come up with some more.
I am a follower (fan) of Christ.
As I look at that list, I want them to apply to me.
I no longer want to be afraid to look like a fanatic for Jesus.
How about you?
4 comments:
You are so right! We are far too quick to think about ourselves and what we'll get out of a church service, and not nearly as much a fan. I want to be a true fan too!
I've never really thought of it like that Sara. But you are so right!!
Great analogy! I loved it and right on point!
Yes...you are on to something here. As a football fantatic I found myself nodding throughout your entire post. I want to be a fan too!!!!
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