Joining the Team

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we

should be called  children of God! And that is what we are!

A running store in my community periodically invites athletes to join its running team. Runners are asked to submit an application and list information about recent race results.

When I filled out my application, I was apprehensive because I hadn’t been competing that long, and my results were not impressive. I fumbled through an explanation the day I turned in my application and tried to promise the store manager that I would work hard to improve my running. But the store manager told me that speed and victory were not necessarily the sole purpose. She told me that being on the team simply meant that I loved to run and wanted to be an ambassador for the store. My ambassadorship might include victories and medals, but my real purpose was to be part of a community of people who loved running.

Now that I’ve run with the team for years, I see the fulfillment of its purpose. The Run On! team members often bring home trophies, but win or lose, our goal is to encourage others to run. Team members can easily be spotted at the races; we wear bright red uniforms with the words “Run On” in large, bold letters. Our uniforms and our words point people back to the store where they, too, can become runners and be equipped for their workouts.

Participation on God’s “team” is similar. We do not have to do things on God’s team to earn his favor, and our invitation to join the team is based on love. We do not need to accomplish certain goals to remain on the team. Our membership is based on an invitation that will not be revoked, despite our losses and defeats. And the victories we have here on Earth point others to the one that fills us with love and equips us for the work He calls us to do.

The teams we join on earth will hopefully support, strengthen, and encourage us. But the team we have joined in Heaven is eternal. Rejoice today, that your inclusion in that team is not based on the things you do, but rather on the unfailing love of our eternal God.

Thank you, Father, that you have made us heirs of Your eternal kingdom. Thank you that inclusion in your kingdom is not based on anything we have done, but is solely because of Your love. Helps us, Lord, to work to further Your kingdom, not because it is required, but because of the grace you have given us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.