We just want to play.

Spring basketball started yesterday.

The boys were sooo excited!

They even practiced outside in the snow.

With an eye on the clock they could not wait till 6:15 . . . time to GO play basketball!

Much to their surprise the coach did not have them play basketball. Instead, he had them practice (the fundamentals) of basketball. 

Drills. . . lay-ups. . . chest  passes. . . free throws. . .foot work.

Disappointment.  We just want to PLAY the GAME!

REALITY hits hard!  You have to work to succeed at the game.  Michael Jordan really did practice basketball!

I find the same frustration true for myself.  I just want to take awesome pictures. . . Aperture, f-stops, lighting, cropping, editing?  Oh, this can be hard and a definite learning curve is involved.

Then I got to thinking. . .

More important than hobbies and sports, how am I equipping myself and teaching my kids to succeed in this “game” called LIFE.  Our spiritual reality is . . . we have an opponent.

“A final word:  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:10-12 NLT)

How are we to equip ourselves against our opponent?

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:13-17 NLT)

We are in a daily battle, aren’t we?  And it is hard to daily step forth equipped for battle and to daily train our kids and be an example.

We just want to play.

Thankfully we have hope.  As Christians, one day. . . one glorious day. . . we will simply PLAY.  

“We’ll worship God in everything-singing, playing, talking, eating, traveling, exploring, relaxing.  God says we’ll serve Him forever.”

(We’ve enjoyed reading this book Tell Me About Heaven by Randy Alcorn.)

 

 

For now, I fight the battle by praying, reading the Good News, keeping the faith, pursuing righteousness and peace (some days more successfully than others!) . . .and looking forward to that day of never-ending joy and PLAY.

Happy Wednesday!

Heather