I have tasted teamwork and being part of winning. I like it. No, I love it passionately! There is nothing like it no matter when and where. Individual events are nice, but nothing like what happens when a group pulls it off, especially against the odds. It could be eight in a boat, eleven of a football pitch, or ten on a softball field. In each and every situation when you win it is extremely sweet!
Anything short of this is frustration looking to have children called anger and dysfunctional behavior. I know all three and even a few more relatives right now. And it doesn’t need to be that way! The fact that I have tasted the sweet fruit makes the yearning even tougher because the canvas is perfectly prepared and ready for the creativity required. The challenge is that creativity isn’t enough. What is missing is the key ingredient, willing participants.
The problem is that just like in Jesus’ day people are happy with the status quo. The observation was the obvious that most couldn’t see at the time. “John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.” (John 5.35, 36)
Jesus knew what was at stake, understood what it would take, and wanted to win. What he needed was a team, even a small one would do. In his case it took an innocent man’s sacrifice to help people see. I wonder what it will take you, others, and most of all me to see. Do we require more sacrifices and evidence? The case has already been made; the winning side is open, in fact waiting, for us to join. The question that remains is simple.
Do we want to taste victory?
I do. My steps today will be God’s victory steps.
