For the past two weeks, we’ve been doing our 5:30 AM runs for football. They have been mentally and physically tiring and rarely are they fun. They usually consist of lots of up-downs, sprints, and agility drills. You can’t help but question your reasoning for being out there. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Don’t get me wrong, I love football, and I understand that there is a price to be paid in order to wear the jersey and step out on the field, but there was something deeper that kept the drive going for most every guy out there.
Society screams for us to stay in the mold, to fit in, to not stand out. Culture tells us that it’s better to be comfortable in and of ourselves rather than working toward something that might be difficult to accomplish. In spite of this, our hearts long to be part of something that is greater than ourselves.
We can only do so much in and of ourselves. When I train by myself, it is no where near as intense or physically demanding as when I train with a team. When I am with my team, I am constantly reminded of the bigger picture. I am constantly reminded that I am not just doing this for myself, but I am working for something that is greater than me.
God is calling us to something bigger. God is calling us to put down the pen and let Him author the story of our lives. He is calling us to something that is greater than ourselves to make it not be about my story, but His story. In and of ourselves, we can only do so much; we can only push ourselves so far. God has given us other believers to push us and make us stronger in a faith and daily lives.
A lot of times, we go to church to feel comfortable. It makes me wonder what church would be like if we treated it a lot more like 5:30 AM workouts; not comfortable, not always fun, but we will all be constantly reminded of the greater calling we all have on our lives. Too much of church is about building a better me rather than building a better we. We can only do this Christianity thing so much by ourselves. When the world can look at us living out what Jesus taught about community, we will be able to be effective. We need more uncomfortable church services. We need to Preacher to ‘’step on our toes.” We need to hold each other accountable and if someone falls, don’t tear them down more, but build them up. We need to realize that were in this together and we all have a common goal. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Matthew Thiessen had it right when he sang in his song, Let it All Out, “the end will justify the pain it took to get us there.”
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Yeah.. I really get this. If church were more uncomfortable maybe we would remember its about us as a body and not the individual in the building. Very Cool.
Great words Jordan. You are right when you say “Too much of church is about building a better me rather than building a better we. We can only do this Christianity thing so much by ourselves” I wished more and more people realized this, myself included. I know I am prideful when it comes to being a tech crew member. I want it all to be flashy and nice because I designed, produced it or w.e. Thanks for putting things into proper perspective.