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I remember a story that I heard of a woman who every Sunday made critical remarks about her pastor’s sermon or the service in general. One Sunday, on her way out of church, she shook hands with the pastor and said, “Pastor, what a great service this morning. During your sermon I had an epiphany. I want to thank you.” The pastor, quite pleased with the morning’s performance smiled at her and asked, “and what was it that left this impression on you?”, assuming it was some part of the sermon.

The woman smiled back and replied, “Oh, it had nothing to do with your sermon. I lost interest in that about half way through. So, I picked up the pew Bible and, leafing through, I found a verse that really spoke to me.”
“That’s wonderful,” the pastor responded. And the woman glided out into the sunshine.

So, reflecting on this past Sunday, today being Wednesday, I remember the sermon being about helping each other grow. Pastor Minnix shared a story by Max Lucado about his childhood. When Max was a young lad, he would play with the neighbor children until dark. They usually played by themselves, but once in a while, a particular dad would show up. He’d always join the losing team, and they would quickly become the winning team, emboldened by this infusion of his experience, his perceived ability and, most importantly, his interest in them.

Pastor Minnix reminded us, that’s just like Jesus’ story.
But, what’s interesting is that Jesus arrived, and the winning team was ready for him to sit on the bench and await instructions. Jesus didn’t listen to them. He introduced the correct the rules of the game, and set about demonstrating what those rules looked like.

Is that how I live?

Am I interested in Jesus’ rule book? Or, do I rewrite the rules to suit me? To suit my needs/wants or the wants of those around me? Do I allow myself to be led by rules of the world, or I am living as a Christian man?

Oh, how patient I can be with a stranger at the grocery store as a woman slowly puts things in a bag. And, how kind I can be to one of my son’s friends, entertaining him and showing him kindness and warmth. Then, with my own son, I will change my expectations and the rules and enter into a perfectionism that is both humbling and frustrating. Why do I change the rules? And since I change the rules so much, is that why sometimes I can be deceived into thinking that God changes His rules, too?

As a Christian, I’m tasked with helping other people to know God. I guess that’s the key. As I take my eyes and attention off of myself, I am able to see more clearly what I have to offer to others. I am able to see what others may need, and what they have to offer to me.

Every Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 you’ll find me at church with the junior and senior high kids that are part of the New Hope after-school program. These are an active bunch and I have a hard time keeping up. Last Tuesday, I played in a 4-on-4 FULL COURT basketball game. You have no idea how inept I am at basketball. When I shoot, I’m happy if the ball hits something, anything: backboard, rim, net, doesn’t matter.
During the game, until I was relieved (gratefully) by another adult, I was pretty good. I had some plays that helped my team score.

My ability on Tuesday didn’t just happen, as an infused miracle. I was involved. I had been practicing over the last 6 months, shooting around on those Tuesday afternoons.
It is said that practice makes perfect. That’s not true. But, practice sure helps me understand myself better, see where my weaknesses are and where my strengths lie. Once I know more about myself, I can then take the focus off of me and pay attention to the weaknesses and strengths in others. As we are knitted together, both giving and taking from each other, continually growing the group.

May we all know ourselves well enough to see how we can fit in with the rest of humanity to cooperatively work with God to change this world.

Matt Holliday, April 30, 2008