For the Win

"They are playing to play, not playing to win."

I heard this phrase on the radio last night as it was used to describe an under-performing college basketball team. This analyst assessed their level of mediocre success by accurately describing their lack of instinct to work together to see victory. They are a young team that is stuck on playing the game on their schedule so that the can get to the next game. That doesn't describe a team with a winning mentality, but one that is trying to make their way through their season.

This can describe a lot of of us if we're honest. We don't always apply our energies and focus in a way that brings success, but do things that allow us to check an item off our task list and consider it accomplished. There are probably some common areas for all of us to fail:

• Attending church-even giving our time & money-but never engaging in a life change beyond Sunday morning.
• Paying special attention to our spouses on an anniversary or birthday, but not doing much more the rest of the year.
• Letting our children know how much we love them during big life events, but not through the day-to-day affirmation they desperately need.
• Spending dedicated time in prayer when life's circumstances bring us unexpected turmoil, but not really bothering with it otherwise.
• Working hard enough at our jobs to keep the paycheck coming, but not in a way that directs people to God's calling on our lives.
• Contributing to our community in moments of crisis, but not investing on a regular basis in the people we share life with.

Playing to win takes teamwork, a dedicated commitment, and regular sacrifice. It's also the only formula for healthy families, happy marriages, deepening spiritual relationships, and a thriving community. Make sure you're making the commitment to play to win.

Already Done

I pray and struggle over sin in my life so much. I continually ask God for strength to resist temptation and courage to do the right thing.

As I read Watchman Nee's book The Normal Christian Life today, I am struck by the thought that perhaps I am fighting a battle that has already been won. I continue to pray for power and victory over sin when the outcome of that fight has been decided! Instead of wallowing in the guilt and shame of temptation and sin, I should be living freely in the grace given by God and won by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. I keep longing to be a man who is free from earthly/fleshly issues when God is trying to tell me that I already am that man. My calling now is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and be who I am now-justified and sanctified by God, ready to do His great work.

How different would our churches and communities be if we could realize what is already ours and simply live & communicate that truth? Satan shudders at the thought.