STREAMS OF LIVING WATER...
& SOCCER FAMILIES
We've known many great Soccer Families. For a season we counted ourselves among them. Up to that point, as coach of our boys' regular city league team, let me humbly say: We dominated. Our boys were standouts. Accordingly, bombarded by persistent recruitment by the "big club team," we considered the cost and determined one season might be good. Here's my candid report: The only thing surpassing the great value of life under the Soccer Tyrant was the greater loss in opportunity cost. Missed opportunity of so many other things. It seemed all spent their lives huddled within a white-lined universe running a paltry 100 yards. And colored green. (Oh, the costs!)
So, allow a bit of humor here! Most Soccer Families we know are wonderful, faith-filled people who would readily admit they battle with their sworn fealty to soccer. For us, it came down to acceptance of what we knew when we began: Our children weren't likely going pro. And potential scholarships wouldn't be consequential to disregard so much other good in the vast horizon of childhood discovery and growth.
So here's the thing: Each of us have our "soccer." Each of us have that dominant activity or activities we've allowed to dominate us. Which is to say, define us. That consumes our time and resources. Often at the expense of greater things. Most consequentially, these articulate a life-long path. It's worth asking: Where is that path taking me? Is it worth it?
Our value. What we do with our time reveals what we value. What we really worship. The fact is that God made each of us for Himself. Our greatest achievement in life will not be in surpassing Messe on the soccer field, or Gates in the business world, but in becoming what we essentially are: Saints.
We are like a raging rapids. Our "banks" are our core identity. Solid. Immovable. Articulating our destination. Our "rapids" are our life blood. Our energy, passion, resources, and gifts. Our banks are comprised of none other than God Himself in Jesus Christ. We are Christian. Not simply in religious contexts. Our Christ-likeness comprises all of life: "The glory of God is man fully alive." (St. Irenaeus)
Our choice. Accordingly, none of us can change our fundamental identity. We can only choose for or against Whose we are. Articulating where we're going. See this validated via negativa in the demonic influence trying to institutionalize gender confusion! So, it's worth each of us asking, based upon our commitments: Do we really know Whose we are? Are we attuned to our banks? Where we're going?
What if right now we had the courage to consider ways our commitments might be more in alignment with our identity and our destiny, such that by the end of this day, next week, next year... on that great Day, we might be more there? More holy?
The Greatest Reset:
Your Home Context of Streams of Living Water.
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink... Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.” (John 7:37-39)
Over this next week, have each family member (1) keep account of discretionary time and how it is spent. At the end of the week, gather together and discuss (2) what lasting, real, enduring value each activity accomplished (personally and for others), and; (3) what else they might have done to attain greater value.
Want each member of your family to become the best version of themselves? Want to really be ready for that "great illumination of conscience" (when we will see our souls as God sees them)? (4) Discuss how their discretionary time might be used to perfect their calling and determine a game plan. Agree to moments of regular connection to pray, process, encourage and move forward!
That's what we're all about as a movement. Our "soccer." The epic playing field that distinguishes the real success of all families. Evidenced by every family committed weekly to a "Live IT" gathering with their family in their home. (ILoveMyFamily.us)
LORD JESUS CHRIST, awaken us to Your Holy Presence, and strengthen us to abide in You always!
Greg & Stephanie Schlueter
Image Trinity | Mass Impact
Greg@MassImpact.us | (814) 449-8808
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