Participant...

participant

/pɑrˈtɪsɪpənt/

/pɑˈtɪsɪpɪnt/

Definitions of: participant

-A participant is a person who participates, or takes part in something.

-A person who participates in or is skilled at some game

-A participant plays a role in the unfolding of events.

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When my wife Piper and I were young we enjoyed playing volleyball.  I guess you could say that we like to participate in the activity whenever we could!  We played with our high school friends at the beach on different occasions and when we attended our local junior college we took the Volleyball P.E. class numerous times during our two-year attendance at the school. 

During that time, Piper’s whole family got involved and her dad had matching t-shirts made up so that the family (me included!) could play volleyball together after holiday dinners at her paternal grandmother’s ranch, located in one of the rural/country areas of our town.

After we got married, we played a lot of volleyball on the lawn of our church on Sunday evenings as well as following the mid-week service.  We talked about joining a city league team, but never quite found the time to do so!

With the classes we had taken at the JC, we had become somewhat skilled at many parts of the game and always encouraged those we played recreationally with, to follow the official rules of the game… and not play “Jungle Ball” as we called it where rules were haphazardly followed and one could return the ball in any way possible.  Playing according to the rules of the game with our ever-increasing skill level made our participation in the activity that much more exciting and enjoyable.

In thinking about it now, I believe that I could make similar comments when it comes to my active participation in my Christian faith.  The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:11-12 to,

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord by keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.  Let this expectation burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in times of pressure but stay consistent and diligent in talking with God.”*

I don’t know about you… but when I read these verses, I can’t help but to feel something being stirred up inside me!  It immediately draws me back in remembrance to the very early years of our marriage when Piper and I began to learn in our Bibles, about the authority that we as Believers have, in our union and legal position in Christ.

I can’t help but to get excited and sense the ever-increasing desire to participate in the Gospel message in and through every avenue of my life.  The very vivid and descriptive words and phrases that Paul uses to paint a picture of his faith like “be enthusiastic, passion, boiling hot, radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit, excitement, expectation and continual joy” simply thrills me and encourages me to be an active participant in the faith of Jesus Christ within the full spectrum of my daily life.

Now granted, I am quoting these verses from some modern English translations, but when you look up the original Greek definitions in the words used in the King James Version, you will find all of these very descriptive terms making up the Greek meanings… so the early Christians reading these letters in the original language of the time, clearly understood stood the full intent of the excitement and passion of what Paul was wanting to convey.

I believe that is why we see all of the excitement, miracles and life changing events that surrounded the early church as was written down in the chronology of the Book of Acts.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to have those same events happening today?  Well, you know… It doesn’t get a lot of publicity in mainstream media… but it is happening all over the world… Right Now! 

It is happening on College Campuses, in Churches and in evangelistic meetings occurring all over the world… and it can be happening with you and me as well!  All we have to do is let Paul’s excitement become a part of us as we seek out and allow ourselves to actively participate in the Gospel message, seek the fellowship of like-minded (or heartfelt) Christians and then share our experience with others.

It’s like learning and increasing any athletic skill… it just takes enthusiasm, a hungry heart, practice and consistent and diligent talking and personal interaction with our heavenly Head Coach!

Well… now that I’ve got us all stirred up… Let’s get going and start actively participating (or increasing our level of participation) within the daily events of our life!  I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day weekend and that it will continue for the week ahead!  We have a beautiful and warm forecast for the week and I pray that you do as well!

 

*A combining of The Passion and Remedy translations