Howzaviz? Shark Attack
January 6, 2010
Shark attack! Shark attack! I was yelling it with all my might. I could see what was going to happen and I needed to help Robert see it too. Everything would change in an instant if he heard me and did what he needed to do.
Let me back up for a minute. I used to coach Olympic style wrestling many years ago – in fact, a couple of decades ago. I taught all my wrestlers the principle that I called “Shark Attack”. You see, there comes a point in a shark’s hunt for food that it tastes blood. When it tastes blood it goes into a feeding frenzy and nothing can stop it from getting the prey that it is pursuing. Likewise in wrestling: there comes a split second in every wrestling match when the match is won or lost. You can pin your opponent, or your opponent can pin you, in a fraction of a second. A wrestler has to be able to see that moment and then give himself to victory with the same passion and commitment that a shark attacks its prey. My principle of Shark Attack was meant to instill in my wrestlers the ability to recognize the fraction of a second that victory could be theirs, and then pursue it with complete and utter wholeheartedness. It was in this scenario that Robert now found himself.
Robert was being beaten very badly. He was down nine points and he was in the process of being pinned by his opponent. He was fighting very hard not to be pinned, but it wasn’t looking very good. He couldn’t last long in this position. If something didn’t change soon, the match would be over and he would be beaten.
However, something began to change.
In his opponent’s zeal to pin Robert, he had moved his weight too far over and if Robert was able to lock his opponent’s head and roll, he would roll his opponent over and pin him. I saw Robert’s chance for victory. I yelled to him, “His weight is too far over, lock his head and roll – Shark attack! Shark attack!”.
Robert saw the fraction of a second he had to seize victory. He attacked like a ferocious shark, rolled his opponent and pinned him. He won. He overcame his opponent even though he was being badly beaten. He saw he chance for victory and seized it.
Likewise as men, we need to violently seize victory over our opponent – the enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy us. There needs to be a violence rise up in us to take hold of what Jesus has accomplished for us and defeat the enemy of our hearts. We need to forcefully take hold of the life that the Lord has purchased for us. We need to take hold of Jesus’ life for us and others, and take back from the enemy what He has stolen from us.
Shark attack! Seize the victory Jesus has for you.
Matthew 11:12
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Meditation is Good
December 30, 2009
Chew it. Swallow it. Bring it back up. Chew on it some more. Swallow it again. Bring it up again. There I sat peeling potatoes in the kitchen of King’s Bible School doing this over and over. It was my first time. It was good. I really didn’t know what it would be like, but I liked it. It wasn’t at all how I had imagined it to be. It took a little getting used to, but once I got used to it I was on a role.
Now, it’s not what you may be thinking. I wasn’t doing this with food – I was doing it with scripture. I was mediating on scripture. One of our Profs was teaching us what it meant to mediate on scripture. Basically it’s what a cow does with its food. The cow chews the grass over and over. It swallows the grass. Then, it vomits the cud back up and chews on it some more. The process is repeated over and over until the grass is fully digested. This is the only way that the cow – and other “ruminants” – can fully digest their food. They have a multi-chambered stomach. If they don’t go through this process they can not digest the food and get all the nutrients they need.
We are no different. If we don’t mediate on scripture we don’t get all the “nutrients” – or Truth – from it. It is critical for our health and well being that we digest as much Truth as possible. Truth is the basis of our life in God. It begins with memorizing the scripture. Then, we need to chew it over, swallow it, and bring it back up again for more chewing. Savor each word. Consider the meaning and essence of each word. It takes time and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us get all the nutrients out of scripture. Ask the Lord to reveal the Truth that is contained in the scripture you are meditating on.
Each of these Visionals provides you with a scripture on which you can mediate. My intent is to provide you with bite sized bits of Truth that you can get into your heart. Take each week to read, memorize and mediate on the scripture provided and I am confident you will see the Holy Spirit deposit incredible nutrients into your heart. If you do this your “visibility” will improve and you will begin to see in greater clarity the Truth of who God is, the Truth of who you are, and the Truth of who our enemy is. Meditating on scripture is a powerful means of getting Truth deep into your heart enabling you to overcome the lies and strategies of the enemy and experience all the life God has for you.
Read, memorize, meditate – meditation is good.
Joshua 1:8
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Roped In For Life
December 23, 2009
“Roll over! Dig your axe in! Get up on your toes! Put all your weight on the axe! Hold fast! Hold fast!” All these thoughts were racing through my mind as we hurtled down the face of the glacier – four of us roped in and falling together. My hands and arms were scratched and bloodied from the ice crystals in the snow. My knuckles had gone numb from the cold and pounding. I was actually having to put into practice what we had been taught about self arrest techniques when climbing a glacier.
This summer my son Benjamin and I joined an expedition of fathers and sons to climb Mount Adams in Washington State. We flew into Portland, headed west up the Columbia River Gorge, then crossed the state line north to rendezvous with the rest of the group led by a Christian organization called On The Edge Adventures. It was a grueling multi-day hike which included a technical portion of climbing with crampons and climbing axes. To prepare for this, we spent a few hours training in self arrest techniques. In the event that you fall on the face of the glacier you have to know how to stop your descent to death. And, being that you are roped in with three other men, you have to know how to stop another man if he falls. So, there we were in teams of four standing across the mountain face having successfully completed our training. The instructors began to walk toward us and I could smell a rat. Something fishy was going on. The next thing we know, they had grabbed the rope between each of us and started running down the mountainside, which in turn, caused us to fall down and begin our “descent to death”. All of us were able to successfully self arrest, but not without a great degree of effort and discomfort.
Two observations I took away from this: 1. Whether we realize it or not, we are roped in with others in life – joined together. 2. Whether we want to be or not, we need to be roped in with others in life – joined together.
Your life is not an island. We are not alone – especially if we are married and have children. We are tied in with them and if we fall, we are pulling them with us. It’s not just about me – my decisions have consequences, both good and bad. We need to remember that there are others on our lines and we can lead them into life, or otherwise.
We also need to make sure that we are tied in with brothers who are willing to dig in to help us when we slip. Brothers we can call out to for help when we are falling. We need to keep the ropes of relationship in place so we can be cared for and care for others.
We are not alone on this journey. Our lives are joined with others and we need to make sure we are firmly tied into others lives – joined together. Let’s make sure we are roped in for life.
Ephesians 4:16
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Good Trailer, Bad Movie
December 16, 2009
Have you ever seen a trailer for a movie and thought that it looks like a good movie, only to go see it and realize it’s horrible? All the best bits of the movie were put into the trailer – three minutes of good, two hours of bad. A con job. A rip off. The trailer really didn’t communicate the true content of the movie. The trailer was really just a phony sales pitch to get you to buy in.
I have a friend who was “living the life” before he gave his life to Christ. He was doing everything the world tells us will satisfy. Lots of money. Lots of power. Lots of woman. It was supposed to be a good movie. As he was telling me his story he said, “The trailer for that movie was good, but I’ve played the movie through and there is nothing desirable in it. It is filled with ruin, heartache and failure.”
What is the trailer that the enemy is enticing you with right now? More money and everything will be great? If I could just get that new house, or that new job, or that promotion everything would be great? If I divorce my wife I will finally be free to be happy and live in peace? If I don’t get too involved in pornography, but only fall into it once in a while, then it should be ok? Right? Wrong.
The enemy tries to convince us with a masterfully crafted trailer that everything will be good, or better if only we…(fill in the blank with whatever may be occupying your heart right now.) Make sure you play the movie through in your head and see where it’s leading. What will the ending be like? If the ending to the movie is not a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father as a beloved son, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith, courageously walking in God’s heart for you and others in all the freedom, hope, life and joy that Jesus has bought for us, then it’s not a good movie. Bottom line: if the movie doesn’t lead to loving God and others more, then don’t go there. If it doesn’t lead to God’s Kingdom in you and through you, then the trailer isn’t telling the whole story.
Don’t be enticed by the phony trailer. Believe that what God says is true. God tells us that sin leads to death. The enemy tells us that sin leads to pleasure. The Lord tells us that He has life for us. The enemy tells us that God’s plan is too hard, too sacrificial, too painful and impossible. Do you want to know where God’s movie is going? Read Isaiah 61:1-3. Jesus read this at the beginning of His ministry and said this is what He is all about: hope, healing, freedom, vision, blessing, victory, comfort, beauty, gladness, praise, righteousness and God’s glory. Sounds good to me.
Don’t get taken in by the enemy’s phony trailer – his is a bad movie.
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our lord..”.
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Flirt or Flee?
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December 9, 2009
How do you deal with temptation? Do you flirt with it, or do you flee from it? We typically do one or the other. Actually we do both. Sometimes we flee from temptation, and other times we flirt with it. Flirting with temptation is a little bit like being around a fire – we try to get as close as we can and not get burned. Or, it’s like being around a very tall cliff – we try to get as close as we can to the edge and not fall off. There is a thrill in that – in getting close to the edge and not falling off. It takes courage. Right? You are in control. Right? You have what it takes to get close to the edge – to flirt with the thrill, but not fall off. It is not courageous to flirt with temptation.
This summer, as part of his vision quest from boyhood to young manhood, my son Benjamin and I climbed some mountains at Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park. There are two particularly knee wobbling sections: Smokey the Bear and Giant Cleft. Both of these are massive cliffs. They seem to fall away forever. I have done a fair bit of climbing and rappelling from great heights, but my knees were actually going weak. My stomach was queasy just getting close to the edge. Actually, the conditions we were in were quite perilous. There was a violent wind that day that would have easily blown us over the edge. We had to crawl on our bellies to the edge in order to peer over. I tried to use this as an illustration for Benjamin that this is what the enemy’s strategy is like with us. We are tempted, and if we flirt with the temptation we move closer to the edge of the cliff – perhaps thinking, “I’m not really going to do anything about this…I’m just curious…” And before we know it, we are falling.
The right response to temptation is to flee from it. Whatever it is – lust, greed, coveting, etc. Remember Joseph and Potiphar’s wife? There was a man who knew how to flee from the cliff. A beautiful, powerful woman wants him to have sex with her. Day after day she kept enticing him. He kept saying no. He even refused to be around her. Then he comes in the house one day and she has sent everyone away.
The trap is set – would he flirt or flee? Maybe not sex, but something else? A little kiss? A little touch? A little embrace? When she took hold of him, he took off so fast that he leaves his cloak in her hands.
Lord, help us to be men like Joseph. Men who see the cost of the cliff. Men who have set our hearts – in advance – to flee and not flirt with temptation.
It is not courageous to flirt with temptation. The cost of the cliff is great. Flee, don’t flirt.
Genesis 39:12
“She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Spiritual Flashbangs
December 2, 2009
“Get down face first on the ground! Put your hands behind your head! Don’t move!”
My son, still disoriented from the flashbang, quickly complied with the ERT teams commands and lay down on the floor. He was cuffed and dragged out of the house into an awaiting police cruiser.
Now, it’s not quite what you are thinking. You see, my son David – who wants to be a cop – volunteered to participate in an RCMP exercise last year. There was an old dilapidated house across from his school that the RCMP set up as a simulated meth lab take down. David was one of the “workers” in the lab. He was given instructions by one of the RCMP to lock the front door when the member left and then quickly run to take shelter. David followed him to the door, then took longer than he anticipated to lock the door, due to an awkward lock. As he was madly trying to lock the door he heard the “go” for the commencement of the exercise and looked up with horror to see the meanest, toughest RCMP ERT team charging the house with a battering ram to smash the door down. He just got the door locked and raced for cover when the door blew open and a flashbang was thrown in. The flashbang exploded with a blinding flash of light and a stunningly loud “bang” that threw David and the other “workers” into total disorientation while the RCMP swept the house and arrested the suspects.
Flashbangs are a standard stun grenade used by many police and military forces around the world. Upon detonation it emits an intensely loud “bang” (170-180 decibels) and blinding flash of more than one million candela. It is designed to be thrown into enclosed spaces to distract and temporarily incapacitate enemy personnel for easier capture.
I was praying with a friend this week and had the thought that the Holy Spirit breathes on scripture to throw spiritual flashbangs into our heart. We need to be in a continuous process of replacing the lies we have believed with the Truth of God’s Word. When we are feeding our hearts with the Truth of God’s Word it happens. Have you ever been reading scripture and something jumps out at you to capture your attention and shift your perspective? That’s a spiritual flashbang. Revelation. Illumination. That’s a spiritual Flash bang. The Word of God explodes in our heart – temporarily incapacitating enemy personnel for easy capture. We see the Truth and then need to deal swiftly with the lies of the enemy.
While you are reading scripture, don’t just read through it like a dead empty ritual. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive to you, to open the eyes of your heart to see the Truth in a transformational way. Ask the Holy Spirit to throw in a spiritual flashbang so you can easily capture enemy personnel.
II Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? You Are What You Eat
November 25, 2009
I was on a business trip this past year, driving down to a client’s golf course community in Washington State. I was with 3 others who, for whatever reason, were all into very healthy eating. We were driving into a small town around dinner time so I suggested we find a Chinese Food buffet and chow down. The way they looked at me and gasped, it was like I suggested we walk up the alley and go dumpster diving for dinner. How on earth could I even consider the notion of putting that kind of “food” into my body? Well, I love Chinese food, but for the sake of group unity we went somewhere more “healthy”. For the record though, it didn’t taste as good as well stocked Chinese Food buffet would.
I have realized that I eat for flavour, not for fuel. I eat food that tastes good and makes me feel good while I’m eating, but it doesn’t necessarily fuel my body well. I am seeing the impact of not fueling my body well – more fat, more fatigue, less able to keep up with my sons. You know what I mean. I’m reaping what I’m eating. It’s obviously critically important what we feed our bodies – especially in middle age. And now the Lord is challenging me about my spiritual diet. What am I feeding myself spiritually?
We all know that if we live on a diet of junk food we’ll not have the strength and energy that we could have, and we’ll die prematurely. The same is true for us spiritually. If we don’t ensure we’re living on a balanced spiritual diet we’ll not have the strength and energy we could have. If we’re not feeding on Truth, but swallowing the junk food that the enemy feeds us, then we will not be filled with life. If you’re wondering why you don’t have more faith, strength, hope, life, freedom, peace, joy, etc – examine what you’re eating. I believe that a balanced spiritual diet is comprised of Truth and made up of regular portions of prayer, study of scripture, fellowship, solitude, silence, rest, service, giving, praise/worship, fasting, thanksgiving, remembrance and celebration. If we don’t have regular portions of each of these in our lives we’re going to be missing the vital “nutrients” we need to be spiritually healthy -to thrive.
If you’re looking for more life – look at what you’re eating. You are what you eat.
I Timothy 4:7-8
“…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? What’s Dogging You?
November 18, 2009
Many years ago, as a young boy, I was out at a fancy restaurant for dinner with my dad and my uncle. I started to get a little bored at the end of the dinner – as the drinking continued and the dancing started. So, I thought I would take a walk around the restaurant property and see what I could find. As I was outside rounding the back corner of the restaurant I came face to face with the guard dog. I have no idea what kind of dog it was, except that it was big, had a nasty attitude and it didn’t like the fact that I was in its domain. It was barking in a way that actually made my knees weak. I really didn’t know what to do. Should I run? Do I stay here frozen until its keeper comes? Who knows – I was terrified and not thinking straight. I figured the best thing to do was to turn around slowly and walk away from the dog.
So, trembling with fear, I turned my back to the dog and slowly walked back to the front of the restaurant. As I walked I could feel the sound waves of the dog’s bark in the small of my back. It was right behind me, stalking me as I moved forward. It never bit me, but the force of its bark sent waves of terror up my spine that I can still feel to this day if I close my eyes and think back to that evening.
I think the enemy is like that. There are demons that dog us – they stalk us and their ‘bark’ can be terrifying. It is important to know what enemies come after you. What “dogs” you? Is it lust, anxiety, greed, rage, despair, dread, hopelessness, pride, fear, loneliness, diminishment, etc? There goal is very simple – to steal, kill and destroy the life that God has for you. Their intent is to convince you that you can’t trust God, to be afraid and take control of things your self. I tend to be dogged by despair, dread and hopelessness. They come after me fairly regularly, but I am learning to recognize them and rebuke them. Rebuking them is simply telling them to go home – in Jesus’ name. Recognizing them is half the battle. Ask the Lord to help you recognize what enemy dogs you. What stalks you? What negative emotions do you struggle with? The root of them may very well be enemy spirits sent against you. Take your authority in Christ and rebuke them – tell them to go!
Identify what enemy dogs you – then send it home.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? Fear or Faith?
November 11, 2009
Do you ever wakeup in the morning with a knot in your stomach? A deep-seated sense of impending doom? A weight that rests on your chest causing you to feel hopeless and overwhelmed? That deep down dread that makes you want to stay in bed and hope that all the things stressing you out will wonderfully disappear and you will finally live in a state of peaceful bliss where you wake up with an incredible sense of hope and joy?
Well, if this is something that you haven’t experienced then I am very glad for you, and slightly jealous, because I can know this feeling all too well. In fact, this past year has been particularly difficult. These feelings have seemed to be my constant bedfellows. Every morning has been a battle just to get up and get focused for the day. Over the course of the last few months I have been struggling to make some very difficult decisions in regard to our business, in order to follow the Lord where I believe He is leading me. This was all coming to an overwhelming head a couple of weeks ago – some difficult decisions with significant ramifications needed to be made. I lived with a daily sense of dread that I wasn’t sure I could take anymore.
One Saturday morning I drove up a mountain nearby our home to pray and connect with the Lord – to somehow get hold of His heart and His wisdom. I read James 1 where James is talking about counting it all joy when we encounter various trials. He goes on to say that if we lack wisdom we should ask and the Lord will provide what we need. He then says that when we ask we need to believe and not doubt and, here’s the kicker, that if we doubt we shouldn’t think we will receive anything from the Lord. This was where the Lord used His spiritual “highlighter” to show me something. He rebuked me for doubting. He began to show me that I was choosing fear over faith. I was choosing to give in to the fear and believe that I couldn’t trust God – that I couldn’t trust God to lead, guide, love and provide. I wasn’t choosing faith. I wasn’t choosing to believe that God is who He says He is and, therefore, I can trust Him to lead, guide, love and provide.
I repented for my lack of faith, for choosing fear, and began to choose to believe the Truth of who God says He is in spite of my circumstances. I realize that on a daily basis I can choose fear, or I can choose faith. Choosing fear is simply giving into the lie of the enemy that is as old as Eden itself – that God can’t be trusted. I have now been choosing to believe that God is who He says He is and, therefore, I can trust Him. My heart has shifted and the deep down daily dread is gone. My circumstances are still difficult, but God is bigger than my circumstances.
We don’t need to submit to fear. We can choose faith over fear. God is who He says He is – He can be trusted.
James 1:6-8
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? It’s All From Him
November 4, 2009
It was a beautiful flowering vine that grew up the side of the carriage house and across the power lines to the house. It was a good indication of spring, when the leaves and the flowers began to burst open to signal a time of new life.
Anne loved that vine. She loved its beauty. She loved the life it signified. So it was with some dismay, one spring day, that she found the vine had died – entirely dead from one end to the other. Upon further examination to determine what had happened, she discovered the vine had been cut off at ground level.
We called David (6) and Benjamin (5) to a family meeting. When asked what happened to the vine, they matter-of-factly stated that they had cut off the vine.
“Why on earth would you do that? That was mommy’s vine!”
No particular reason, it was just something to do. So, we decided that this was a good time to teach them the concept of “restitution”. Because they destroyed something that was not theirs – it was mommy’s – they must make restitution to mommy. We determined that the restitution would be $5 each and they were told to go up to their piggy banks and bring down the money. (We knew that they did not have enough money in their piggy banks to cover the payment, so they would be required to “work off the debt”.)
They came down from their room with all the money they had in their banks, knowing that it was not enough. They were weeping deeply. They were devastated and afraid they would never have enough.
I found myself reflecting on their situation…
“All that they have, we have given them. All that they will receive, we will give to them. And, we will provide for all of their needs in the meantime. Why are they so afraid and devastated?”
That’s when I heard my Father say to me,
“Exactly, why are you so afraid when it comes to your finances? All that you have been given is from me. All that you will receive will come from me. And, I will take care of all your needs.”
Wow, I was looking at myself in the boys. My Father provides for all my needs. All that I have is from Him. All that I will receive is from Him. And, He delights to take care of my needs. What do I have to fear?
Indeed, what do we have to fear? Our Father loves us and will provide for all of our needs – it’s all from Him.
Philippians 4:19
“He will provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? I Don’t Need You. You Don’t Need Me.
October 28, 2009
Recently I was asked by a couple of pastors on Vancouver Island to speak to a gathering of men. The topic they asked me to speak on was “The power of masculine friendships.”. The topic kind of threw me. It didn’t seem to fit into my usual topics for men – though it really intrigued me. It got me thinking about friendships between guys, and why, for the most part, men struggle with creating deep, meaningful relationships.
Do we not want them? No, I believe we do. Do we not think we need them? No again, I think we would all say that we need them. So why don’t we have deep, meaningful relationships with other guys? I believe that the Lord helped me to see 3 key reasons why we don’t. However, I am going to focus on just one in this visional. We have believed one of two lies: I don’t need you, or you don’t need me.
You see, the enemy is terrified of who we are together – he heard Jesus’ prayer, “That they may be one.” One unit. One team. So, implementing a strategy of wounding, lying and agreements he comes after us as men uniquely. Think back to your boyhood and I’ll bet dollars to donuts that you were wounded by someone significant and the lie that the enemy planted into your heart was, “You don’t need them anyway.” Or, “See, they don’t want you around. You have nothing to contribute. They don’t need you.”
The sad thing is, is that we bought into one of these lies – hook, line and sinker. I bought into “I don’t need you.” So, even though I wanted and needed deep meaningful relationships with other guys I didn’t have them. Why? Because I had made an agreement with a lie from the enemy. Until the Lord showed me the wound, the lie of the enemy and my agreement – and I broke my agreement and received the Lord’s healing – deep, meaningful relationships with other guys were very few and far between.
I was talking to a man after I shared this message once. He was very emotional as he shared an experience he had as a boy with his family on a holiday. He was exploring a cave or something, and when he came out, his family was gone, they had left – they had forgotten about him. They came back, but the lie that went straight to his heart was, “See, nobody really cares about you. They don’t really want you around. They don’t need you.” He made an agreement with that and has believed ever since that nobody really needs him, that nobody really wants him around.
Ask the Lord to show you the lie you believed, then break the agreement you made with the enemy and receive the Lord’s healing and truth.
John 8:44
“…When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? A One Pedaled Bike
October 21, 2009
My first “cool” bike was a Sears Spider 3. Three speeds. Purple, hand breaks, slicks and a big sissy bar. I was the epitome of cool on that bike. Wheelies, cat walks, riding backwards, jumps, skids, riding with no hands – great memories. Of course, there are always the painful memories of endos, tank slappers, hitting parked cars, etc, but we’re not going to get into those here.
Remember the feeling of freedom you had as a little boy when you learned to ride a bike without training wheels? Wow. The speed. The freedom. Your world suddenly got far bigger because you could ride a lot farther than you could walk during play time. The power of a two-pedaled bicycle was enormous. In fact, what good would a one-pedaled bike be? My point is this: it’s amazing the power of 2 pedals working together, but seemingly in complete opposition to each other. When one is up, the other is down. Opposite, but perfectly complementary.
I now subscribe to what I call two-pedaled theology. For years I rode a one-pedaled bike. If there were seemingly oppositional truths, I picked one and rode it hard. I now see that many scriptural truths are the two pedals on the theological bicycle.
A good example? Divine sovereignty and personal responsibility. If all we do is live like everything depends on us, we will become Christian Athiests. We’ll never expect the Lord to sovereignly move without us doing something first. We must also live with a hopeful expectation of His divine sovereignty. He moves powerfully on our behalf – in His sovereignty. Do we have personal responsibility in how we live and conduct our lives? Yes. Does the Lord respond to how we walk with Him? Yes. However, He also moves sovereignly out of His great goodness and His good greatness. Likewise, if all we do is hope for God to sovereignly move and don’t carry any personal responsibility we will never mature, but remain as spiritual babies crying out to be fed and cared for.
The Lord has really leveraged this tough business climate to teach me this truth. I have been working very hard at my business to see it grow and prosper. I have asked the Lord to lead me and guide me. I have asked the Lord to give me wisdom and revelation to know what to do and how to serve Him in and through my business, but I have slowly over the years shifted to riding the personal responsibility pedal. If I don’t work hard, the work won’t come. However, these tough economic times have forced me to lean into God’s sovereignty. To believe that He will provide for all my needs because He loves me – not because I do all the right things to earn His favour.
Don’t ride a one pedaled theological bike – two pedals gets you much further.
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Spiritual Emancipation
October 14, 2009
Amazing Grace – the movie – a great portrayal of William Wilberforce and his battle against the slave trade. Wilberforce fought for years in the 1700’s, alongside many others, to abolish the evil of slavery. His ultimate victory was known as the Great Emancipation. Emancipation means, “The act of setting free from the power of another, from slavery, subjection, dependence, or controlling influence; also, the state of being thus set free; liberation.” Wilberforce’s victory was incredible and a turning point in the history of the world. However, there is an even greater emancipation that has taken place.
Jesus came to set mankind free from the bondage of sin. He came to break the power of the enemy over us. Mankind had been bound by the chains of sin since Genesis 3. Jesus came proclaiming a new way to live – freedom from slavery to the enemy of our souls. He came proclaiming the kingdom of God – the government of God – a new way of living, a change of citizenship, a change of heart, good news of great joy – salvation. His first public proclamation of the Kingdom was Isaiah 61. It’s a call to victory, freedom, peace, hope, healing, vision, blessing, beauty, gladness and joy. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead broke the power of the enemy, his legal title over mankind, and the chains of sin that held us captive. That is the great Spiritual Emancipation.
We are no longer slaves to sin – we have been set free from the yoke of slavery. It is imperative that we understand our spiritual emancipation: We are free men – no longer helpless, hopeless and harmless. However, we have to fight to “appropriate” the victory and freedom Jesus bought for us through His blood. To “Appropriate” means: “to take to or for oneself; take possession of.” Paul encourages us in Philippians to “work out” our salvation. I do not believe he means that we can earn salvation by works, because it is the free gift of God based on faith, not works. However, working out our salvation means that we need to get hold of it, own it, deepen its work in us, live it, ensure that our actions reflect our beliefs and that our beliefs are the Truth – appropriate it. Salvation is free, but the Kingdom will cost you your life.
Jesus passes the torch to us and asks us to continue fighting – to appropriate – the emancipation that He started, the revolution for the freedom and life of the Government of God, the Kingdom of God, the Heart of God. And then, He will return.
Jesus started the great Spiritual Emancipation – appropriate it.
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? A Time For Anger
October 7, 2009
I just got back from my son’s basketball game. The team they were playing was clearly a superior team. They had great skills, they were coached well, they played hard. Bottom line: they were a great team. The final score was 110 to 35. What really got me angry was the fact that they full court pressed almost the entire game. In my books, that is just not good sports etiquette.
I used to do a lot of coaching. I’ve coached provincial champions, regional champions and zone champions in a few sports. One unwritten rule is that you don’t run up the score and embarrass your opponent. Sure, play them hard, but don’t crush them – especially in grade 10.
Our guys handled it really well. They were clearly frustrated and angry, but they maintained their composure. They played hard until the end. They channeled their anger. I tried to channel my anger too, but to be honest I was really pissed.
Here’s my point – I haven’t felt anger like that for a long time. Now, some of you guys out there may feel anger on a regular basis. I don’t, and I think that’s a problem. I believe that there is a time for anger. You see, anger is not a sin. What we do with it can be sinful. If anger is a sin, then God sins because scripture tells us He gets angry.
We need to get angry! Now please hear this – we don’t need to get angry at petty little things. Unfortunately we tend to get angry at things we shouldn’t, and don’t get angry at things we should. Someone once said that a man is only as big as that which makes Him angry. We need to get angry about things that really matter. We need to get angry with our own sin. We need to get angry with apathy. We need to get angry with injustice. We need to get angry with the enemy’s strategy in our lives, in our marriages and in our children’s lives. We need to get angry with the enemy’s bullying!
Remember Popeye? “That’s all I can stands and I can’t stands no more!” Then he pounds the bad guy. How much crap are we going to put up with in our life and the lives of those we love before we get angry enough to do something about the enemy’s strategy?
Our enemy is spiritual, the battle is real, and there is a time for anger. We must get angry with evil.
Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? The School of Brokenness and Submission
September 30, 2009
“He is driven onward through the burning crucible of dessert where holy men and prophets are cleansed and purged for God’s great purpose. Until at last, at the end of human strength, beaten into the dust from which he came, the metal is ready for the maker’s hand.” So is the narrative from the movie The Ten Commandments as Moses trudged through the wilderness, just prior to coming upon Jethro’s well in Midian.
Scripture is filled with stories of God leading men into the wilderness – trials, testings, crucibles – the refining process. We all must be refined in order to walk with a Holy God. We must all be enrolled in the School of Brokenness and Submission.
After Anne and I graduated from Bible School we moved to Winnipeg to embark on our great adventure of following Jesus in building His kingdom. That was when He enrolled me in the School of Brokenness and Submission. Over the course of seven years He led me through various trials, testings and difficulties – broken plans, smashed hopes, pains and conflicts – in order to refine and purge my character that I might be more Christ-like.
Even though Jesus told us He came that we might have life and have it abundantly, He also told us that life is found by denying ourselves, picking up our cross and following Him. If we lose our lives for His sake, we will find it.
Any man who wants to truly follow Jesus will be enrolled in the School of Brokenness and Submission. Never follow a man who doesn’t limp. Limping leaders have spent time in the School of Brokenness and Submission. This is where character is refined, pride and willfulness is broken, hearts are softened and messages are deepened. The School of Brokenness and Submission also puts a tear in our voice. You can hear arrogance and self-centeredness in a man’s words, or you can hear humility and empathy. If we do not recognize this process we can end up angry, resentful and offended with God. However, if we recognize and submit to this process we will walk in a deeper relationship with our Father and carry a greater glory – for the sake of His kingdom. The wine of His word in you will be further fermented so you are palatable to a greater number of people.
Recognize Jesus’ hand in your trials and testings – you are in the School of Brokenness and Submission for His glory.
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Stay With It
September 22, 2009
“I can’t take this anymore. All I do is lose. I just can’t do this. I quit.” And with those words I announced to my grade eight wrestling coach that I didn’t want to wrestle anymore. I was quitting the team and quitting the sport. I had given it a shot – I just wasn’t cut out for this.
I gave wrestling a shot, but it was harder than I thought it was going to be. It was really hard work. Everyday after school training hard; working on endurance, strength and flexibility. Endless hours working on technique – how to take an opponent down, how to counter moves by my opponent. Trying to throw guys to the mat – having other guys throw me to the mat. Trying to pin guys – getting pinned by other guys. Basically trying to beat my opponents, but getting my butt kicked. So, I was done. I tried, but clearly I wasn’t cut out for this.
When I told my coach that I was quitting he said something that shocked me. He said, “Don’t quit Dave. Stay with it. If you stay with this, you will be the next North Shore Champion.”
I was dumbfounded. Have you lost your mind? This is me we’re talking about. I can’t beat anyone – how am I going to be a champion??
He indicated that he saw ability in me and if I chose to be committed to the training and worked hard, that I would be a champion. So, I chose to believe my coach and stay. I was committed to the training and I worked hard. And, you know what? I was the North Shore Champ that year. In fact, I was five time North Shore Champ. I was voted Rookie of the year, then junior of the year and won 2 silver medals at the Provincials. However, I was going to quit because I couldn’t see what my coach saw. He saw more than who I was, He saw who I could be.
Some of you are thinking of quitting: your faith, your marriage, your church, your ministry, an important relationship, it could be any number of things. I believe that your Coach – Jesus – has you in a training program, and it is very difficult. He is putting you in difficult situations to build endurance, strength and flexibility. He is teaching you how to take down your opponent and how to counter attacks by your opponent. He sees who you can be if you will stay committed to the program and give it all you’ve got. Don’t give up. Stay with it. Stay with your coach. You need to understand that He chose you to be on this team – you didn’t choose Him.
Stay with it. Stay with Him. He sees who you can be.
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? Shout It Out
September 16, 2009
Remember that old ’70s TV commercial about the laundry cleaning product called “Shout”? The lady on the commercial would squirt some “Shout” on a dirty shirt collar and say, “When it comes to dirt, I Shout it out!” And, lo and behold, when she pulled the shirt out of the washing machine the collar would be miraculously clean. Well, I believe there is a valuable spiritual lesson to be learned from that commercial. Let me explain…
Recently we were facing a very difficult situation in our business. A client was defaulting on a very large sum of money that will have a very significant impact on our business. Frankly, it was wrecking me. I was anxious, terrified, worried, overwhelmed, despairing, and hopeless – you know the feelings. I was praying and giving it to the Lord, but I was still finding it hard to cope. I ended up at our Christian book store and bought a worship CD – “A New Hallelujah” by Michael W. Smith. In my Jeep I began to worship along with the CD, and then came the song “Shout Unto God”. I started to sing along with Michael, the thousands at the concert – and with the great cloud of witnesses that Hebrews talks about, as well as myriad angels I’m sure.
Anyway, as I sang out loud to God and declared this truth, “The enemy’s been defeated and death couldn’t hold You down. We’re gonna lift our voice in victory, we’re gonna make your praises loud! Shout out to God with a voice of triumph. Shout out to God with a voice of praise. We lift your name up. We lift your name up.”, my heart shifted. Something broke and despair, hopelessness and terror lost their grip on me. I began to take my eyes off myself and my situation, and focused on who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for us. Suddenly my situation didn’t seem as big and nasty as it had previously. My perspective changed in the face of Jesus.
Now, the financial situation is not over yet, but my perspective has shifted. I see the bigger picture and I see who my God is. The power of the enemy is broken when we lift up our voice and declare the truth of who God is. Something happens in our hearts when we actually lift up our voice to the Lord – when we get loud about His truth.
Shout it out!
Psalm 95:1-3
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? A Life of Repentance
September 9, 2009
I had the pleasure and privilege of golfing Pebble Beach a while ago – one of the greatest golf courses in the world. Spectacular scenery, challenging holes: an incredible experience. And, you know what? I shot par. Yup, I shot par at Pebble Beach. Pretty amazing eh?
Now, before you go thinking that I am an amazing golfer I need to tell you more of the story. I didn’t play Pebble Beach at Pebble Beach. I played Pebble Beach at a hotel in Seattle – on their golf simulator. I chose to play Pebble Beach out of more than 50 golf courses from around the world. If you haven’t tried out one of these simulators, they are quite extraordinary. You hit off of artificial grass towards a huge video screen that projects computer graphics of the course accurately simulated through the use of GPS. The computer is able to calculate the distance and direction of your shot as you watch the trajectory of your ball on the screen. Your ball lands, you check the hole coordinates on the screen, pick a club and hit again. I found putting the real tricky part, but you know what they say, “Drive for show, putt for dough.”
There was one other part of the computer simulation that was particularly helpful for me to shoot par. It’s called the Mulligan button. After every shot I had the choice of keeping my shot, or pressing the Mulligan button on the computer screen and shooting another shot. I could choose to not have that stroke counted against me in my game. I loved that button. I must have pressed that button over 100 times. I would hit a shot that I wasn’t pleased with, press Mulligan, adjust my grip, my stance, my angle, and then hit again. I did this over and over again until my shots started to get truer and farther and I needed the Mulligan button less.
As I was doing this I began to think that this is like repentance. In life I do something that isn’t good – my shot goes astray. So, I ask the Lord to forgive me and to help me to change – to hit truer next time. Then I take some sort of action to ensure that next time I “hit that shot” I get a better outcome. You see, we are called to a life of repentance. Repentance is a daily choice – a daily gift from the Lord to start again. It’s an ongoing gift of mercy and grace from the Lord to lay aside the sin that besets us and keep moving forward in the game of life.
Choose to live a life of continual repentance – an ongoing attitude to lay aside the sin that trips us up and press on toward God’s heart for us.
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Strength and courage,
David
Full-time Ministry is an Attitude
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September 2, 2009
I always wanted to be a pastor. My brother is 10 years older than me. He led me to Christ. He discipled me. He fathered me. I wanted to be like him, and he’s a pastor. I always figured that being a pastor was “first string”. If you’ve played any team sports you know that there is first string, and then the rest of the team. First string plays the most and they’re the best players. I was a first string kind of guy. I always had the idea, rightly or wrongly, that if I couldn’t play first string then I didn’t want to play. I couldn’t stand the thought of watching someone else play knowing that I didn’t have what it takes to play at that level.
And it was with that attitude that the Lord led me into the marketplace. I always felt like I was second string. I just couldn’t cut the starting line-up – I wasn’t a pastor. I was a teacher – in public schools and in a Christian school – for a period of time. I have been in sales and marketing. I founded my marketing agency 12 years ago, following a period of time as a sports marketing specialist in the National Hockey League.
Strangely, it was during my time in the NHL that the Lord spoke to me about the lie I had believed.
I felt like He asked me, “Did I call you – or anyone – to serve me with part of your life, or do I call everyone to give me their whole life?” The answer was pretty obvious – “Lord, you call each of us to surrender totally to you and serve you with our whole life.”
“Well then, full-time ministry is an attitude, it’s not a position.”
You see, we are all called to be first string. There is no “Plan B”. We are “Plan A”. Jesus called each of us to give Him our whole life – not just part of it. We are all called to serve Jesus as full-time ministers, whether that is in the church or in the marketplace.
Are you in full-time ministry? Remember, it’s an attitude, it’s not a position.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do work at it with all your heart like working for the Lord, not for men.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? Bring Your Lunch
August 26, 2009
I was sitting in a coffee shop just about to start writing in my journal and try to connect with the Lord. To tell you the truth, I was bummed out. I wasn’t really hearing the Lord very well, I was tired and weary, visionless, faithless – my viz was not good. Anyways, a guy comes in who has been to our Boot Camp and sits down to talk with me. He begins to share where he is at, and it’s not a dissimilar place to mine.
We are sharing back and forth some of our challenges and finding some common ground. He then states that he really wants to be mentored so that he can mentor others, because he doesn’t feel that he has much to offer others right now. When he shares this something goes off in my spirit – a little red flag pops up and I think, “I don’t know if I agree with that.” You see, this man is a father of adult children. This man loves Jesus and faithfully walks with Him as best as he knows how. This man is gifted and has shared his gifts with me in the past in ways that have helped me with what the Lord has been leading me into. This man is an active and engaged part of a vibrant church. This man has a lot to give. This man has the Spirit of the living God alive in him.
So, I tell him that I don’t agree with him. Yes, pursue a mentor. Ask the lord to bring someone into your life who can further disciple you. However, you have a lot to give right now. I think of the story of the feeding of the five thousand…
Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? Amazing – yes? A great miracle by any account, but how did it start? A key player in this incredible event was a young boy. The kid who brought his lunch made all the difference. Three key lessons we can learn from that boy: 1. Show up. 2. Bring your lunch. 3. Share your lunch.
You see, first of all the kid showed up. He wasn’t hiding. He didn’t stay home. He just showed up – he chose to be there, to be present.
Then he chose to bring his lunch. He brought some resources. He brought what he had. It was a humble lunch, but he brought it.
Lastly, he gave it away. He figured that the Lord could do more with it than he could. He offered what he had to the Lord and to others.
That’s exactly what the Lord is asking us to do: Show up. Bring what we have and then give it away. All of us can do that. You’ll be amazed what the Lord will do.
John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? I Want A Road Map
August 19, 2009
I was recently in San Francisco on business, and for the first time I rented a GPS with my rental car. I knew that all I needed to do was enter in the location that I wanted to get to and the GPS would give me step by step audio and screen instructions on how to get there. I could even pick the language or accent of the voice for the audio instructions on the GPS. I was hoping that I could find a Scottish accent on the GPS, but no such thing. I settled for an English accent.
To back up for a minute, you need to know that I am a map guy. I love maps. I love the fact that I can look at a map and get the big picture. I can see where I am in relation to everything else. I can understand what direction I need to go, the roads I need to take and the distance I need to travel – and therefore the time it will take – in order to get to where I want to go. With a map I am at peace because I can figure out what lies ahead – I can prepare for it. With a map I am in control.
With a GPS you can get the big picture as well, but typically it’s used to give you step by step instructions to your destination. Turn left in 200 meters. Turn right in 1 kilometer. Proceed for 5.4 kilometers, then turn left on Jones St. – that sort of thing. So, I entered in the name of the hotel I was staying at and the GPS began to give me step by step instructions from the airport to the hotel. At first I found this really frustrating – Where was I in relation to the big picture? How long would this take? What land marks would I be passing by? Where was I in relation to the ocean? However, as I drove on I experienced an unusual peace. I didn’t need to figure everything out. I didn’t need to be in control. I could rest in the fact that the GPS would get me to my destination and all I had to do was take the next step it gave me.
Then it began to dawn on me – this is how God directs us. Rarely does He give us a road map, though we may beg and plead for one. No, typically He leads us one step at a time. We could call them “God’s Purposeful Steps”. We must believe that He knows where He is leading us and that He is good. He knows the plans He has for us. He is in control, not us.
So drive through life following your GPS – “God’s Purposeful Steps”. He will lead you and guide you. He is good.
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? God Knows And He Cares
August 10, 2009
For years I have wanted a boat. I grew up with boats. They were part of my youth. It was one of the few ways that my dad and I connected and spent time together. I love boats and being on the water, and I wanted to raise my sons around boats. However, as a family we seemed to always have other priorities and we never got a boat – until 2008. It was time, everything came together and I purchased a 1962 Chris-Craft Holiday mahogany ski boat. Wow. What a gift from my Father. I was delighted. I was tickled. I finally had a boat. And, not just any boat – a classic.
I love spending time in my boat with my Father and my family. The throaty growl of the 283 c.i. small block V8. The shine of the chrome. The warm radiance of the gleaming mahogany. The conversations it starts with people admiring how gorgeous it is. The fun we have out on the water in the warm sun. It’s a special gift from my heavenly Father. I love what the boat represents about my Father’s heart toward me.
One unique element of the boat is the chrome bow burgee pole. It’s a little flag pole with a little Chris-Craft flag – or burgee. The boat didn’t have one when I bought it. I had this one lovingly made, with the crowning glory being its lathed mahogany knob. I love my burgee pole.
One morning I am out in the boat, cruising alone with the Lord struggling through some difficult issues and trying to connect with Him, when the burgee pole knob pops off and falls in the lake. I quickly cut the throttle and double back to find it, but I can’t. I spent what felt like ages of time going back and forth looking for the knob. I spied what looked like the knob and began rejoicing in God’s goodness, only to find out it was a pine cone. I was dejected. I sat there pouring out my heart to the Lord knowing that He knows where the knob is. He knows how much this boat and that burgee pole mean to me. I know it’s just a boat, and the knob is a small thing, but it means something to me.
I slowly surrender to the fact that I am not going to find the knob. I sit there reading the last few chapters of Job about the greatness of God – the fact that He is God and I’m not. I surrender my heart and my expectations to Him. I thank Him that He loves me and cares for me even if I never find the burgee knob. I am disappointed, but at peace so I start the boat and begin to putter off in a totally different direction.
As I am idling away, I sense a gentle encouragement to look to my right – and there it is. I don’t even have to turn the boat. I simply reach over the side and scoop it up. I stop the boat and cry. My God knows. He cares.
He knows our hearts and He cares.
I Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
Strength and courage,
David
Howzaviz? He Delights in You
August 3, 2009
Incredible, majestic mountains. Brilliant, blue cloudless skies. The warm embrace of the sun’s ray. Invigorating wind in my hair. My convertible jeep, an open highway ahead and a Carmel Macchiato in my right hand. I was really enjoying this drive through the mountains to meet with a new client – a ski resort. My heart was feeling good. I was drinking in lots of the things that make my heart glad. I had 2 hours ahead of me to be alone with the Lord driving through the mountains with the top down. Life was good.
To add that little “extra” to make the moment perfect I thought I would pop in a new James Taylor CD I had just purchased. That’s when it happened. The first song went straight to my heart. Emotion began to well up from deep within me. I was asking the Lord what this was all about, when I felt Him say something very profound to me…
“I’m singing this song to you.”
What? Can that be? God singing a song to me? The words to the song were great:
“…everyday it grows a little bit more than it was just the day before. My love for you grows and it grows – whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa how it grows and grows. And where it’s gonna stop I’m sure that nobody knows. Hey, hey, hey – nobody knows…”
The words of the song penetrated my heart and I felt overwhelmed by the Lord’s love for me. It was beautiful to drink in. It was a fabulous moment between a Father and son.
The Lord sings songs over us – I’m sure there are many. Scripture tells us in Zephaniah 3:17 that God rejoices over us with singing. I have no doubt that the Lord has innumerable songs that He sings over each one of us. He is a loving Father who delights in His children. In a similar way that we delight in our children as fathers, our Father delights in us. He loves His kids.
You see, we are the joy of the Lord. He takes joy in us and we receive His joy. Ask the Lord to help you to hear a song that He sings over you – and let it touch your heart.
He delights in you.
Zephaniah 3: 17
“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean
Howzaviz? Following Jesus is a Team Game
Jule 27, 2009
A few years ago I was at lunch with a guy I was getting to know. We were talking about a number of things – one of which was his faith. He shared about his relationship with Jesus. He was a Christian, but not really plugged in anywhere. He wanted to walk with Jesus, but didn’t really want to be part of the church.
A question crossed my mind, “Can you really be a Christian and not be part of the body of Christ – the church?”
I started thinking about sports. If a guy said to you that he was a hockey player, but wasn’t on a team, would you think he really was a hockey player? If he said he was a football player, but wasn’t on a team, is he really a football player? You see, hockey is a team sport. Football is a team sport. Baseball, basketball – team sports. It is impossible to be a player if you are not on a team. You may have all the skills of a player, but you really can’t be part of the game if you are not on a team. By their very nature they are team sports. You can’t do them alone. If you think you are a player and aren’t on a team – you’re fooling yourself.
Following Jesus is a team game. Jesus came to birth a body, a family, an army, a royal priesthood, a holy nation – the church. If you are not part of the team – the church – you really are not in the game. Sure, you can have issues with other guys on the team. Sure, the coach that the owner has asked to lead the team may get on your nerves sometimes. You may get a little frustrated by the position you play. You may get tired of showing up to practice. Whatever. When you’re on a team you don’t always get things the way you want them – there is a greater good. But only on a team can we be part of something bigger than ourselves. We each have a position to play. We contribute to the strength of the team. In team we find synergy – where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Following Jesus is definitely a team game, it’s not an individual sport.
I Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Strength and courage,
David MacLean