As I watched a game of football I was struck by how similar everything was on the pitch to life itself. This isn’t a commentary on the game of football, rather an observation of one particular situation. As one team moved forward on offense there are moments when the defense, especially the backs appears to be sleeping. It is as if these particular players are not in the game that everyone else is either playing or watching. The scene repeats when the midfield players pass a long ball to a striker. Again the scene is one where two positions interact as if they are in different cities. No connection. No preparation. No state of readiness.
John saw something quite different in his vision. “I saw the Seven Angels who are always in readiness before God handed seven trumpets.” (Revelation 8.2)
Imagine a world where the people are proactively looking for ways to help. Dream of a time when the resolution of an offense begins before the offended party realizes that they have been offended. Reflect on the future when pain is shared within community, challenges are spread across many shoulders, and hope is celebrated by anyone in sight!
This is a world where people are prepared! There isn’t anything preventing this from happening today. We are free to make this kind of choice. There are opportunities in everyday. Missed opportunities are behind us, the question rests on the relationships that are present in this moment.
When I watch a team play a game when everyone is prepared and engaged it is a joy! The sport almost doesn’t matter. The support, the ability of a group to transcend the immediate limitations and achieve the impossible is almost common place. Everything is possible when everyone is set. Anything is within reach.
Today is one full of challenges, strains, and demands. It doesn’t matter where in the world one is, the situation only varies with the weather. The question that remains sits in front of you and me. Are we ready to engage? Is God part of this process?
