“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
-1 Peter 2:5
Church is like a game of rugby... sort of.
Growing up in an inner-city Council estate-based secondary school meant many of us had some pent-up tension. When most of your peers come from fractured families, and opportunities are scarce, you find common problems around emotional management and that pent-up tension needs addressing (and still does for many) soft skills. Soft skills were usually discovered by accident. So, finding something to engage with as frustrated teenagers while having fun can be a challenge.
One of the things that helped me, and the other boys, in particular, was full-contact rugby. I don't know if schools allow it these days, but there was less paperwork back then. Now, sports might not be your thing, but I want to share some principles that carried me through tough times that also make me think of what it is like for each of us to be in the church. The game of rugby forced me to work with others, communicate, think fast, overcome fear, and, most significantly, be fully engaged in the action.
You can't play rugby by sitting on the sidelines, and you can't succeed in rugby without getting dirty, impacting each other, and engaging with the players.
Being a Christian and rooted in your church is the same. You can stand on the sidelines with your hands idling in your pockets. Still, it is less exciting than when you are getting stuck in, and the game misses something by not having you engage. Not only that, but you miss the opportunity to grow, get better and learn as you engage.Following Jesus is active and engaging. When we serve, we give of ourselves, engage with those who worship with us, and give ourselves more opportunities to develop our faith as we discover and participate in God's purposes for us.
I think Jesus wants the kind of church where we get our hands dirty, have cuts and scrapes, fall and get back up again, learn better ways to work together, and get stuck in. We get to play as we extend the table of God's kingdom. We get to help make the church a thriving place with an impact, just like a rugby team.
And just like rugby, every now and then, we get to catch the ball and have a glory moment. Still, mostly, it's running around, supporting one another, cheering each other on, helping each other, and overcoming opposition. I won't stretch the analogy anymore, but the church we see is one where we leave this life covered in mud, full of stories, and having made an impact.
My final thought on church and rugby is that just like playing a match is fun, this walk of faith and engagement in church should be enjoyed. Find moments of joy in serving and as we extend God's kingdom together.
As you relax over the summer, know that you are not just an observer, but you are called to be a participator in Jesus' church. Stay active, stay engaged and watch what God does with Sutton Vineyard in these days.
Much love,
Julian
