Let The Games Begin

Last season, our 5 oldest all played soccer. I figured it would help things be a little less crazy if they all did the same sport at the same field at the same time. Well, in theory that would have worked out, but we ended up having practice on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and games on Saturday, so that plan kind of backfired.

This season, we thought we'd kick it up a notch and branch out a little (you know-to add some excitement to our lives). So, the two little girls are doing a ballet class (just one afternoon a week for 30 minutes taught by a great high school homeschooler). They love it!

The two older girls are sticking with soccer and we're rejoining the baseball circuit (which could very well do me in-talk about a time commitment). Both boys are playing this season-it'll be Colton's first time and he can't wait.

When we get into the thick of a season, I inevitably question why we ever committed ourselves (and often over committed ourselves) to something so trivial as sports in the first place (although the kids have a blast, it's great exercise and Nick and I love watching them try something new and work hard at it-lots of lessons learned).

We commit to the practice it takes to get good at a particular skill, rearrange schedules to make it to each event and prioritize our calendar to accommodate all these extracurricular activities.

Yet, so often that same intensity of commitment is lacking in our own Christian walk and in the training of our children.

I mean, when was the last time you cleared your schedule for three plus hours for the next 12 Saturdays just to spend time seeking and knowing and serving the Lord? Yeah- it's never happened for me either.

I'm reading an AWESOME new book called "Not A Fan" by Kyle Idleman. I've only made it to the second chapter and it so good that I'd HIGHLY recommend you pick it up.

The implications of this book are life changing.

The author gives the most basic definition of a fan-"an enthusiastic admire" and declares that a large portion of those who claim to be Christians define their relationships with Jesus (if not directly, then through their actions) as mere fanship.

He continues that many have made a decision to believe in Jesus without making a commitment to follow Him-they admire, but aren't devoted, they know about him, but without intimacy, they assume good intentions make up for apathetic faith, they are secret admirers, but not FOLLOWERS.

The gospel doesn't allow for this distinction between "making a decision" for Jesus and "making a commitment" to Him. As Idleman says, "When we decide to believe in Jesus without making a commitment to follow him, we become nothing more than fans."

I don't know about you, but that's just not good enough for the one who gave it all up for me.

In a society where we so easily commit to countless lessons, book clubs, birthday parties, appointments and play dates, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that God requires ALL of us and that He is not a part-time-penciled-in event that we can squeeze in here or there.

"It is a twenty-four-hour-a-day commitment that will interfere with your life."

So, as our family embarks on a new sports season, I pray that our commitment to ballet, soccer and baseball will pale in comparison to our commitment to FOLLOW Jesus-whatever the cost-and to raise our children up for Him

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6