Go Outside & Play!!

Remember those rainy weeks when you were a kid--so boring--nothing to do--so you argued with your siblings. It didn't matter about what. I remember my sister used to tell on me for "thinking mean things about her"--okay, I probably was antagonizing her just a bit! :) But we all remember how staying in the house, playing games, school, dolls, whatever was only fun for a very short time and then everyone in the house got on your nerves! We would argue about petty things, mean things and even the things we really didn't care about.

As moms, we all longed for the sunshine..that first ray when ALL moms kick everyone out of the house saying..."Go play outside". And oh, the relief. The kids could run, play and interact with people outside the house. They played to exhaustion and when they came back in they were thrilled to be there...because at home there was nourishment (Read nice, hot dinner or a cool popsicle), there was love (mom always has a kiss and a bandaid for the boo boos we get outside) and there was true acceptance.

I think, as a church, we have been playing in the house for far too long. As God's kids we bicker and argue; we look for the petty and insignificant issues and we pick fights. We are totally intolerant of anyone...and Jesus is callig us to "GO PLAY OUTSIDE!"

He even said it..."Go into all the world..." Jesus understood that if the apostles stayed in that upper room not only would the world be lost but they would devour each other. Can't you imagine Peter and John arguing about what exactly happened the night Peter walked on the water? Or maybe Andrew belittling James and John for asking for special places next to Christ?

Jesus knew they had to get outside to play. What made the church in the first century great? What was their pattern? It was simple...they put their own selfishness aside and went outside and played! They engaged the world wherever they were at. They had to settle arguments by agreeing to disagree and yet love and fellowship each other. And while they were out...the world was in awe of what they had. The world didn't see petty arguing...it saw the power and love of God and they were "cut to the heart", "filled with awe" and "favored by the people" (Acts 2). And what did God do?? He built His Church.

And then they came by inside to draw nourishment from each other. They shared, they ate happily and they loved each other. God didn't build His church for us to take it over...He created it and us so that we could go out and bring every person we touch in life one step closer to Him. And then, as a family we could draw on the strengths of each other and build and encourage each other up!

"He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:10-11

All we have to do is go outside and play...when we engage the world while we are steadfastly seeking God...our world will change...and better yet, so will someone elses.