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Growing up, I would always attend my big brother’s football games. He was the starting quarterback of a pretty big high school, so it was very cool to go to his games and cheer him on.
In the eleventh and twelfth grades, he won back-to-back state championships and was named MVP for both seasons. Even now, he is still regarded as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the history of Crest High School.
When I got older and it was my turn to play, I knew I had some huge shoes to fill. There were great expectations for me because of my brother who had played before me. My very first year at the school, I led the team to the state championship as a sophomore. We lost the game, but it was still a remarkable season.
Based on my achievements at Crest High, people can easily assume that I was related to my big brother. The interesting thing in coming to Christ, however, is that we claim that the people of the Bible are our “brothers and sisters,” but there’s not really much evidence that shows that we are related.
The people of the Bible who came before us had the faith to leave everything at a moment’s notice for God.
"11 And after they had run their boats on shore, they left everything and joined Him as His disciples and sided with His party and accompanied Him." - Luke 5:11 AMPC
When they were surrounded by enemies, they had the faith to believe that the battle had already been won.
"15 When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha’s servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? 16 [Elisha] answered, Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them." - 2 Kings 6:15-16 AMPC
When they were faced with being thrown in the fire for their faith and belief in God, they decided that they would rather burn alive then to turn their backs on God.
"17 If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!" - Daniel 3:17-18 AMPC
And when they were led to a sea with the enemy hot on their tails, they had faith that God would part it so that they could walk through on dry ground.
29 [Urged on] by faith the people crossed the Red Sea as [though] on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do the same thing they were swallowed up [by the sea]." - Hebrews 11:29 AMPC
The interesting thing is, if I would have attended Crest High School and chose to be a member of the band, everyone would have assumed that I wasn’t related to that quarterback that led his team to the state championship. However, in Christianity we claim to have brothers and sisters in Christ when our lives look nothing like theirs.
As an athlete, there are a lot of people that like to claim they are your family because of your accomplishments and the accolades that you are receiving. I’ve realized that, as Christians, we do the same thing. We say we are related to those people who came before us because of what they were able to endure and accomplish. But if we are being honest, even Stevie Wonder can see that our lives aren't comparable.
Most Christians, when they are confronted with their lack of faith, will say, “Everyone has different callings.” But isn’t it interesting that our “callings” don’t usually match anyone who is in the Bible? Maybe, God has changed His phone service. Or maybe, God is the same and we don't actually have His number.
The Question of the Day: If Heaven had a family reunion, would you be invited?
(Jesus, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, Gideon and... YOU?)