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Posted on July 11, 2006 ...

Did you follow any of the World Cup soccer matches? Estimations are that one billion people watched the finals. That is one out of every six people on the planet! WOW. The universal popularity of the sport is incredible. But like many Americans, I honestly do not have the great passion for this game the rest of the world knows as football. True, I am impressed deeply with the way these athletes run and control a ball with only their legs and heads. But the game seems ?¢‚Ǩ?ìslow?¢‚Ǩ¬ù to me because scoring a goal is so difficult and so rare. And scoring is of ultimate importance because the score determines the difference between victory and defeat. In short, soccer features lots of energetic running around, but few occasions when the score is affected.
Is there a lesson here for the church? Can we, at times, expend lots of energy running around without impacting the ultimate outcome of lives?¢‚Ǩ¬¶of communities?¢‚Ǩ¬¶of our world? God calls, equips, and challenges His people to be difference-makers in our world. Do not settle for merely a busy life when there is a change God wants you to help bring about.
Next week, I will be away with about 70 other youth and adults as our church and Michigan Avenue Baptist Church again team up together for our annual visit to Laguna Beach Christian Retreat near Panama City, Florida. It is an exciting and uplifting week for all of us as we focus upon God?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s will and way for our lives. Think about it. In just a few days, many of the participants will spend more time in Bible study, worship, and devotional activities than they might experience over several months otherwise. Because this is such a key time in their spiritual lives, your prayers are needed. Please put some object in your vision this week that will remind you to pray for our group. For example, you can mark your calendar, set a seashell on your table, or tape a postcard or photograph of the beach to the mirror. Those who are computer savvy could select an ocean scene as the wallpaper on your desktop. Simply do something to put us occasionally into your thoughts and prayers. Pray for our safety, security, and especially that God will move among us in meaningful, significant, and life-changing ways. Thanks so much. Jay