Cheer Squads!

Over the last year, I found myself enjoying the short videos on my Facebook ‘reels’ feed that demonstrate the various routines of different CHEER squads around the country.  I will admit that the thing that first caught my attention was that the young ladies in the “FLYER” position reminded me of my wife Piper.  She had the same small stature and body type.  But while Piper was slim and trim and kept herself in good physical condition, the girls on the CHEER squads are hardcore athletes and are all muscle!  And secondly… and probably most importantly… Piper did NOT like to be tossed around and most definitely did NOT like being upside down!

It amazes me to see how smoothly the guys in the base position flip the girls into the air and then toss them here and there, while the gals perform incredible flips and twists with outstanding pose and balance!  These well trained and disciplined CHEER squads definitely have the ability to wow their audiences and stir up up their school’s supporters in the stands while CHEERING their athletic teams to victory!

I got to thinking about CHEER squads this morning, as I continued my Biblical study on the important role of a CHEERFUL heart.  The Apostle Paul closed his second letter to the church in Corinth with a special encouragement saying,

“And that's about it, friends. Be CHEERFUL. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.”  (2 Corinthians 13:11 – The Message)

It’s clear after reading all the positive encouragements in this paragraph, that Paul was acting in the role of a CHEERLEADER to the church in Corinth that was said “to have given their founding pastor, Paul, more trouble than all his other churches put together.”*

He was even more succinct in his closing statements to the church in Thessalonica, where among other subjects, he wrote in order to correct some debilitating misconceptions that the church was experiencing in the understanding of their Christian beliefs.**  In II Thessalonians 5:16 he simply penned,

“Be CHEERFUL no matter what.” (The Message)

Paul might be considered to be the greatest, most disciplined and active CHEERLEADER in the entire Bible!  His thirteen or fourteen books (depending on your thoughts on the authorship of Hebrews) demonstrate his amazing routines and skills at bringing forth the Good News of Jesus Christ to generations of people spanning thousands of years!

It is obvious by the scriptures above and the encouraging message of JOYFULNESS in his other letters to the churches… up to and including ours and then going beyond in time… that he strongly heralded the important position that an attitude and lifestyle of CHEERFULNESS should have in the life of a believer.

I got to thinking about all the athletic and sports events that Piper and I attended throughout our school days in high school, Junior College, Chico State University and then a few years later at Sonoma State University when I went back to college to finish my degree.  Our Bible College out here also has a pretty good basketball team as well!

I realized that the CHEER squads played a very important part in those games!  They are not just there for fun, but they help to direct and carry the enthusiasm and vocal shouts of support by those in the stands in which to encourage their team on to victory!  I’ve been on a few of those teams playing out on the field or running on the track and the volume and enthusiasm of the fan’s shouts REALLY do help the athletes to do their best… especially late in the game when strength and energy are waning!

Paul used analogies to sporting competitions as a part of his teaching routines so that those listening to his instruction or reading them through the ages, could best grab hold of the specific details of what he was wanting to get across to them.

Well… I think we are catching his drift… and although we may not be wearing the cool and colorful outfits that the CHEERLEADERS… both female and male… wear at the sporting events of life… we can wear the colorful markings of a CHEERLEADER with the smile on our face, by the joy in our step and through the encouraging and uplifting words that we speak!

And if the Holy Spirit speaking through the words of Paul… and the other writers of the holy Scriptures… encourage us to,

“Be CHEERFUL no matter what.” (2Thessalonians 5:16 - The Message)

Then… It is possible for us to actually come to the place in our lives where we have developed a CHEERFUL attitude and lifestyle… 24/7 – 365 days a year… No Matter What Happens!

What do you think about that?  GO TEAM!

Have a wonderful rest of your week, EXPECT God’s BEST and above all remember that:

 “CHEERFUL is the way to BE in 2023!”

 

 

*Introduction to the book of 2 Corinthians in The Message Devotional Bible – page 1355

**See Introduction to the books of I and II Thessalonians in The Message Devotional Bible – page 1409