last four weeks watching the United States play in the women’s world cup. With each match I seem to grow more attached
to this team of twenty-one, that is fighting to reach the highest stage in soccer.
If you have a television you’ve probably seen the last minute, literally last
minute, goal by Abby Wambach that tied a very good Brazilian game. You can’t deny that it was pretty incredible
soccer fan or not.
A brief or not so brief celebration led to a moment of
realization for me. As I sat and watched the final seconds of the game and then
pks (penalty kicks) God kind of revealed something to me. First that his timing
is perfect, yes I would have loved for the team to score thirty minutes earlier
but it wasn’t in the cards. However, they never gave up. They kept pushing
forward giving a 100% because they believed. We as Christians have to adopt that mentality. When our backs are up
against the wall and we are facing defeat we need to have that fighting spirit
and belief that God is faithful. Many time I’ve thrown in the towel in the
118th minute because I have lost faith in God, who makes the impossible
possible.
Second, I realized that even though Abby Wambach is the
featured hero of that play it was a team effort. That one play has been played
at least 100 times on SportsCenter, a slow motion of Abby jumping in the air
redirecting the ball into the goal. What
you may not know is that ball started on the opposite side of the field. A
great run through the midfield, an incredible cross by Megan Rampinoe, and the
finish by Abby made that goal possible. TEAMWORK!
I sometimes forget that I am on Gods team and that my
teammates are other believers. It becomes about what I can do instead of recognizing
what others have to offer. We each have
different gifting’s and abilities that allow us to further the kingdom of
heaven WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER. We should
build each other up, encourage, believe, and support one another. Paul wrote in
Romans 12:4-5 ” For just as we have in one body many members, but the
members do not all have the same function, so we, although many, are one body
in union with Christ, but member belonging individually to one another.”
God thank you for reminding me that working for you is a
team effort, by using a game I love to watch.
1, 2, 3 TOGETHER!!
Oh p.s
Check it out…Sunday 2pm E.T … ESPN…. Finals against Japan
