KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME

My wife and I just returned from some vacation time. We visited our son and daughter-in-law and got to meet our first grandchild, Levi Spencer. It was awesome. As a part of our trip, we visited another close friend in Cincinnati, Ohio. We went to church with him and heard a challenging message about responding to the Holy Spirit. As I have reflected upon that talk, I thought about how important it is that we keep our head in the game, spiritually. So hear are just a few thoughts along that line.

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                We are rapidly coming to the end of the college football season. A sad time for some of us. Most teams are already looking ahead to next season. Some are looking ahead to next week. One of the dangers for every player in college football at this time of the year is to get distracted. They may get distracted by the possibility of going to a Bowl Game. They may get distracted by the disappointment of a less than great season. Whatever the cause, a distracted player makes mistakes that often cost his team.

                This time of the year, it is very easy for us to get distracted by all the busyness and demands of the season. The Christmas season is amazing; it holds many delights for us. It is a time when people are more open to spiritual things. It is also, at times, overwhelming.  We can get so caught up in the season that we lose our perspective. We can lose our opportunity to shine the light of Christ into our world.

                I think it is great that Thanksgiving precedes Christmas. It gives us a reason to stop and reflect upon our lives before we rush into “The Holidays.” Thanksgiving can help us adjust our perspective on life. It can help us keep our head in the game.

                In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul challenges his readers to keep their head in the game. Look at what he has to say.

                Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

                Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

                May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

                As Paul concludes this letter, he uses a number of short, pithy statements to help his readers stay focused spiritually. In these statements are words of encouragement, challenge and instruction. They are the final words of a coach before he sends his team onto the field. You can almost hear Paul saying, “People, keep your head in the game.”

                With all that is going on in our world today, it is imperative that we keep our head in the game. We need to counter discouragement with the joy and hope we have in Christ. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to light a spiritual fire within us that will move us from paralyzing fear to bold encounter with our world. We need to yield to the sanctifying work of God in our lives, as He reshapes our lives for His glory.