The Team

I hesitate to even write this blog post because I realize even the title itself sounds pompous and self-serving.  I also am hesitant to post this because there are life circumstances playing out right now that must be handled with gentle hands.   At the same time the team that surrounds me is ultimately part of the body and are not only standing with me, they are standing for marriage, for the growth and health of others involved, for the betterment of the body, and most importantly they stand looking past me and at the Father.

Please do not assume you know what I am going to say about them.  Please do not assume that I believe there is an opposing team.  If you think I am going to talk about how they have chosen the "right" side; you are wrong, (I chose them, they didn't choose me). If you think I am going to talk about the amount of people that believe me; you are wrong (My identity does not rest in the opinions of others).  If you think I am going to talk about the visiting team and how they don't stand a chance; you are wrong (the only enemy we have is Satan).  And if you think I am going to try to convince you to join my team you are also wrong (We are team Jesus, we should all be on the same team).  This is not about sides, this is about how they have worked and partnered with me as I learn to walk with Jesus.  This is the benefit of doing life together.   

This team is Jesus's entourage and that is how they have loved me so well.  

What has loving me looked like? 

It has been a lot of things.  Pretty much all the love languages.  Gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, and acts of service.  They have poured into me with all these.  They have prayed for me, they have prayed with me, they have listened to me as I process out loud, they have listened to me excitedly tell them all I have learned, they have cried with me.   These are all good things but it doesn't end there.  

The tougher side of love.  

They keep me accountable to keep the healthy boundaries.  I have given actual written lists to certain teammates in order for them to keep me on track.  I tell them when I slip up and it's met with non condemning words.  They already know I know I was wrong.  They have a job to listen, and they understand that.  Then I am met with encouragement to just keep moving forward, press into God once again.  

I tell them when I am dealing with temptation.  When the feelings of loneliness grow to overpower my friendship with Jesus.  They listen.  They help me process.  Then they pray with me.  Confessing our wrong thoughts to another trusted person is so liberating and takes power away from the enemy.  I used to live in shame of my sinful thoughts, I would hide them, and deny I had them in order to appear "good".  But that only keeps things in the dark, and is detrimental to our growth as individuals and as a body.    

They give me truth.  When I ask for it or when I am blind or unaware of my self.  I know I can ask them questions about the reality, I trust they will tell me what they see from a biblical perspective.  I trust they won't tell me what I hope to hear but they will tell me what I need to hear.  That is love. 

They offer counsel.  It's an honest discussion, processing information, discussing options, prayerful consideration, and the giving of truth.  

I can compare this team to a pack of runners.  Each takes turns leading and they push the team to go faster, to be stronger as a unit.  They have sharpened me, they have challenged me, they have pushed me toward God. I have been blessed with friendships of some sharp minded individuals and I have seen them grow throughout this experience.  

How is your team doing? Questions to ask yourself about the team that surrounds you:  Are they ok with you staying where you are, or do they desire to see you grow, to improve?  Do they tell you what you want to hear in order to make you feel good, or do they give you truth even if it hurts?  Are you afraid to be vulnerable and share your dark thoughts, or are you free to confess the temptations in your life without fear?  Will you be condemned and shamed or will you be encouraged and freed, will they point you back to Christ?  Do they value loyalty to people or loyalty to God and his commandments?        

Let it also be known that these people did not seek me out.  I sought them out.  I reached out for help... this took humility to know I needed help.  I knew the challenges were beyond me, I lacked the knowledge to figure it out on my own.  Anyone can have all that I have.  But like the gift of Jesus, you must invite others in to help you.  Loving like jesus means they do not force themselves on you, he sure doesn't!