This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Rooted – Grounded in Grace (CLICK HERE)
When I played basketball, there were various phases of practice. The first often was an explanation of the game, play or strategy we were going to employ. Another phase was then walking through the offensive play to make sure everyone knew where they were to go. Then we ran the offense with no defense and then we inserted other teammates as defensive players. Finally the true test of whether you understood the offense and could make it work, was taking it to the court in a live game. Here is where all you learned and practiced would be tested. The difference though is the defense didn’t always react the same as your teammates did in practice. The pace of the game may be more intense. In some ways it was much easier to run the offense in practice than in a real game. But it’s the real game that was the objective of the practice!
If you have been part of the Christian faith for awhile, I am sure you have experienced a similar rhythm to aspects of your faith life. We spend time reading about God’s love, grace and forgiveness. We perhaps study it with some intensity to know what God says about various aspects of life like finances, relationships, work, etc. But when it comes to game day and putting these things into practice, we may find it easier to do Christianity on our own. Why?
Learning about love is easier than putting love into practice with someone who is really hard to love. Forgiving someone in actuality so that the wrong no longer affects your relationship is really difficult. Going out of your way and expending your time or money to help someone in need is an imposition on what you want to do with your day. Putting your faith into practice with other people in the game of life is hard…so it’s easier to avoid those situations altogether.
But we shouldn’t. Because it is only in the context of the relationships around us that we get to grow as God’s people and put God’s truth into practice, into real life situations. To be sure, it is not always easy. It is not always comfortable. The situation may change unexpectedly and we may feel it’s not worth it. But the Christian faith is not to be practiced and lived in isolation. Faith in the Lord is not just for us personally, but us to live out relationally.
The Apostle Paul encourages us: Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
None of this can we do independently. All of this is done in the context of relationships. The study, the practice is all beneficial. But it is all necessary to be ready for faith “gameday” which is every day!
Apply: What relationship will you encounter today that you are struggling with. What aspect of your Christian faith is being called on to put into practice? Ask the Lord for the ability not just to know what to do, but to actually put it into practice!
Prayer: Lord, thank you not just for the training and practice, but the real life situations in which I get to put your love, grace and forgiveness into action! AMEN.