How Would Jesus Play?
Read Matthew 24:45-47
Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
-Ephesians 4:1 (NRSV)
IT'S not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. One of the officials who was scheduled to work our daughter's high-school basketball game failed to show up. The host school offered to forfeit the game, but our team declined the offer, opting to play anyway.
The lone official explained to the girls that he would be unable to see everything and that he would need their help. As the game progressed, we observed the true spirit of athletic competition. When the referee was unable to see, the girls responded by admitting violations. When a call was in doubt, the offending player acknowledged that she had committed the foul or was out of bounds. That evening the focus was clearly on how they played the game.
These high-school girls served as an example for all of us as we face daily decisions. We must make the call: reporting or not reporting undocumented income; being faithful or unfaithful to our spouse; engaging or not engaging in hurtful gossip. Do we live honestly even when telling the truth brings consequences we would like to avoid?
On a spiritual level, we decide whether to take part in the ministries of the church and whether to forgive those who have done us wrong. As we monitor our own lives, do we live according to the Bible?
Roy Shaver (Missouri, USA)
Dear God, give us courage to be faithful to Christ in our daily actions. Amen.
Every choice offers an opportunity to follow Christ.
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To see where God wants me to serve
