I am sad—depressed, whatever you want to call it…but my Braves are in BAD shape. I have been so used to their winning ways since the early 1990’s…but I just can’t handle what has been happening lately—we are on a 10 game losing streak with no relief in sight.
We used to lose all the time…I remember the days when Dale Murphy played for them; in fact, I think he was the only person who actually played—the other guys often looked like the kids you see playing t-ball, on the field—but not engaged in the game.
Seriously—you used to be able to call Fulton County Stadium & ask what time the game was going to be and they would tell you whatever time you could get there to watch it.
But then in the early 1990’s the Braves started winning…actually—they have DOMINATED their division for well over a decade. I have been to many Braves games during this run…and I have noticed a disturbing trend that has not only damaged the Braves—but can damage the church and our lives as well—it is one of the most dangerous things that could ever happen to us…and it is so suddle that many people don’t even recognize it taking place.
What is it? Simple—the Braves, and everyone else around them, have lost their passion for the game.
I was in Fulton County Stadium the last week of the regular season in 1991 when the Braves HAD to win to make it to the playoffs. The year before they had finished dead last—and so the place was buzzing with anticipation and excitement. They won that night and the place was going nuts…I can’t even begin to tell you some of the sites that I saw.
Just a few years ago a friend hooked me up with some awesome tickets right behind home plate. A friend and I went down…the stadium was about half full…and was about as exciting as watching grass grow. I remember us hitting a home run…and the place didn’t show any emotion at all. It made me think, “These guys are in a lose-lose situation…if they win, well…they should have won…and if they lose then they should NOT have lost and here are all the reasons why.” Victories were NOT celebrated—losses WERE criticized—the passion was gone.
As a church we can NEVER lose our passion. It is my prayer that we will show up every Sunday with a sense of expectancy. We should be ASKING God to do amazing things…and when He moves we should celebrate His moving with all of our might. One of the things we do well at NewSpring is celebrate—but we must never take for granted all that God is doing and when He moves say, “Well—that SHOULD have happened.” NO—we must thank Him…we must ask Him to do more…and we must make sure we do all that we can to lift HIS name up!
Satan has a goal…he knows if he can steal our passion he can eventually rip us apart. Step in most churches across America and I will guarantee you will observe a loss of passion…among the people, among the staff, and with the senior pastor. People show up expecting NOTHING to happen…and quite often their expectations are met. (And if something did happen it would make them mad because it would cause them to be late for lunch!!!)
When I pull in the parking lot every Sunday I am asking God to do amazing things…I EXPECT God to show up in unique ways…I EXPECT God to changes lives…and no, I don’t always get to see what God is doing…but I know He is always at work because His word says that He is.
NewSpring—we can never allow the enemy to steal our passion—EVER. God is at work—but this is ONLY the beginning! There is so much more—so let’s pray and ask God to continue to work and move—and when He allows us to see Him working and moving—let’s celebrate!!
One more thing…on a personal note—the enemy desires to steal your personal passion as well. He will try his best to make you apathetic towards your job…your spouse…your kids. He doesn’t want you to HATE those things…he would rather you just not care about them. Pray for God to set you on fire with passion…and let Him consume you! God has invested WAY too much in our lives for us not to care. If you have a job—it is a gift from God. If you have a spouse—that person is a gift from God. If you have children—they are a gift from God…and we are called not only to “like” them—but to be filled with passion towards them!
I am not sure there is any help for the Braves this year—there has to be serious changes in my opinion before they can win again. But…I think before anything good can ever come from them again…passion for the game MUST be restored. Passion must come back into the stands. Passion must be displayed on the field…if not—then it looks like we are going to make a return to the 80’s.
Pray for passion…for our church…for our lives…and let’s allow God to set us all on fire.