August 7th, 2019 Devotional
1 Corinthians 15:30 "And for us why do we endanger ourselves every hour?"
***1 Corinthians 15 ; Matthew 22:31-32**
Why do we do what we do? A question so relevant to all of our lives. In particular, our lives as sport officials. We all to often get the blank faced stare when we share that our passion lies in officiating and that we enjoy this profession. Then we typically get a follow up remark like "who the heck would want to be yelled at all the time" or "that doesn't sound to fun."
But can you see the major similarity this shares in the lives of the early disciples? I mean who in the world wants to stand in the overwhelming minority against a religion, a people, a power structure that stood in opposition. Can you see Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 standing up to the church in Corinth like an official looking at a Coach or Player in the face explaining the rule? Now I'll give it to Paul that takes a whole lot more kahoonies, but the illustration the point.
Yet we are still left with the rhetorical question Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15:30 "And for us why do we endanger ourselves every hour?" Well we do so because of one game changing new rule, the RESURRECTION. The forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father loses some of its fervor if with it doesn't come the promise of eternity with the Father. The defeat of death brought with it new purpose of our renewed, transformed, and redeemed lives here on earth as we await eternity with the God of the universe. Hence why, we endure the sufferings of our time and of our individual struggles not because life gets easier, but the "TOH" (Time of Heaven" gets closer.
While I beg of you to reflect on 1 Corinthians 15 and Paul's rhetorical question both spiritually and in terms of officiating/(INSERT PROFESSION HERE), I leave you with this statement from Francis & Lisa Chan's "You and Me Forever"**:
"If we believe that billions of people are dying and heading for God's judgement, does it really make sense to center our lives around anything other than the mission to reach them?"
Questions of Reflection and Confession:
1) Why do I do what I do?-- Why do I go to church? Why do I referee or umpire?
2) Why is resurrection so crucial to Paul? To us?
3) Does the fact that billions of people dying and heading towards judgement cause you to retreat or does it break your heart? How about stir in you a passion to help even 1?
**Francis & Lisa Chan's You and Me Forever: Marriage in light of eternity (Check book out here)