Going Green

I live in Saskatchewan and I have rightly inherited a love for the Riders football team.  I can't help it really--it's just something that gets into your bones.

One of the things that I really enjoy are the fans----it's almost as fun to cheer for the fans as it is to cheer for the team itself.  This is probably true because the Riders end up losing more than their fair share and we have to cheer for something!!

Anyway. . . .there is another thing that I have liked about our team for a long time that has been weakening recently: and that is humility.  For years I have felt that our team exemplified a good attitude with regard to their failures and successes and it has shown through attitudes that are humble.  But in the last few weeks, I have been disappointed in some of the players who have been very vocal about being "the best", and continually stating this, even when losing efforts were showing that they were not the best.  It got to the point where one Rider player was interviewed right after losing a game, and while standing on the field said "we are the best, and they [the team they just lost to!] suck."

I had to shake my head.

Now I know I'm just talking about a football team here and that doesn't seem to be very high on the spiritual scale of things, but it nevertheless shows me what lack of wisdom looks and feels like.  I can find the relevancy of God's word in a post-game interview on the sidelines of a football field.

So, with all that said, here is what wisdom looks like:

"Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."  James 3:13-18

As I write this I can't believe just how accurate this applies to the latest Rider shenanigans!  And, if truth be told, how it applies to our lives as well.  There is a deep longing in us to be noticed; to be appreciated for something good; to be praised.  When our needs for this kind of affirmation comes out of a heart that 'wants it all for myself', then we have a problem.

I love my football team.  As the saying goes 'I bleed green'.  But, I really don't want to fall into the trap of having my heart bath in the green that breeds envy and pride--THAT I want to leave at the foot of Jesus.

Today, I want to encourage all who read this to ask Jesus to help your heart to be humble and honor Him appropriately by living a life that is marked by good deeds.  Serve others, consider their value and lift them up.  Speak words that build up someone else and avoid bragging about yourself.  As you do this, Jesus promises to lift you up as well.  He will bless you with peace and a solidity in your heart that will allow you to praise others without feeling like you are somehow less.  In fact, as Jesus helps you with this, you will find that you feel better than ever!

I wish you blessings as you test the waters of living a wise and humble life.

Thank you Jesus--you are simply awesome!

BT