1 Peter 1:13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. English Standard Version (ESV)
In yesterday's post we considered how a kingdom, a house or a relationship "divided against" itself would fail. The same thing applies to a team and as we head into the NCAA Final Four weekend it is something to consider as an example for us. The team has to be united in order to succeed. A team may have the most talented players but if they don't play as a unit they will not win. We've all been familiar with "superstars" who swing for the fences at every at bat when a ground ball to the right side of the infield to advance a runner to scoring position is what's really needed. There will be basketball players that will take the shot just about any time they get the ball when there might be a player wide open under the basket for an easy layup or dunk. They have to be prepared to make that sacrifice or pass for the better of the team than their own personal stats.
As I read today's verse what jumped out at me was "preparing your minds for action". The NCAA has four teams remaining and the coaches will be going over films, drawing diagrams and directing practices to prepare the team for the upcoming weekend games, the biggest games of these players lives to date. The coaches will make their final efforts to "pull the team together" as a cohesive unit. They must be prepared in their minds for what lies ahead, be prepared, if possible, even for the unexpected.
The same holds true in other sports. The NHL will soon be entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NBA will have their playoffs and Major League Baseball players are preparing for opening day, wanting to start out on the right foot for a long season in search for a championship. Who knows, this could actually be the year for the Chicago Cubs?
Regardless of the team or the sport, the preparation of the mind of the team is critical to winning in the long run. So it is in our Christian lives, we are on the Lord's team, He prepares our team day by day. He gives us the wisdom, power and grace to succeed individually day by day, but it is not for ourselves it is for the team, the kingdom of God, our fellow believers.
If you watch the Final Four this weekends, look for the team that is most prepared. Look for the team that makes the extra pass. As for us, in the preparing of our minds "don't lazily slip back into those old grooves" (The Message) but let yourself be "pulled into a new way of life shaped by "God's life", and live for Him. "Roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear" and play to win for Christ.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
1 Peter 1:13-16The Message (MSG)
A Future in God
13-16 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
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