Getting the job done and Tom Brady Part 2
A college senior took his new girlfriend to a football game. A substitute was running onto the field when the boy said to his girlfriend, "Take a good look at that fellow. I expect him to be our best man next year." His girlfriend snuggled closer and said, "That's the strangest proposal I’ve heard; but I accept!"
And that is one way to get the job done. Following our football metaphor from last week and the
Source Unknown internet story, the next scene has the team in a huddle. They huddle...and huddle...and huddle. The referee calls a penalty for delaying the game and moves the ball back five yards. This continues.
The quarterback shouts, "This is the greatest huddle I've ever been in. What a group of guys! We have the best fellowship... we need bigger and better huddles! Besides, we might get hurt. No one ever got hurt in a huddle!"
Our churches are in big trouble if they become a "holy huddle", singing, praising, enjoying each other, but never setting out to do anything. The church is supposed to be Christ's body, carrying out his plans in the world. The church is to be God's light in the world.
A further extension of the football metaphor has the huddle breaking up, finally hitting the field. But instead of lining up against the opposing squad, they break into groups of two or three, arguing with each other. A fight breaks out.
Two are arguing over the color of the uniforms. A couple are quarrelling over the right way to kneel in the huddle. Two guys are arguing over 'personal' football versus 'social' football. Is the individual or the team important?
Some white players say the blacks should go play on their own field, and some of the black guys don't like the band music. Some fight over whether women should be allowed to play. “I'm quitting because I can pass a lot better than that other guy, and they won't let me be the quarterback.”
Well, we get the picture. Our church community has to be a team with a common purpose. The image of Tom Brady in the first three quarters of this year’s Super Bowl was one of humility. He was beaten down repeatedly, but he kept following the plan and the teamwork prevailed.
It is through humility, the poor in spirit, that the Kingdom shall be ours. Park the ego at the door and be ready to use God’s gifts for the success of the Kingdom. That’s how heaven is achieved and a Super Bowl is won.
"Be completely humble and gentle," writes Paul. "Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all..." (Ephesians 4:2-6).
One challenging example comes to mind. This January, for the second year, Father Brendan McGuire’s Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, California, opens its doors to 15 homeless street women who will literally live in the parish center for 30 days. Imagine the planning and volunteering involved in this project. Imagine grace at work in the lives of all involved in this project.
(553 words)
