Now that winter is here, part of my weekend is standing on the side of a soccer field watching 22 ten-year-olds run around the paddock chasing a little ball. I am not alone, there is a coach (quiet), his wife (not-so-quiet) and a manager (very passionate about the game) and lots of parents. Most of these kids have never played soccer before and it’s still pretty early in their careers. You are never in doubt as to where the ball is, just look for the 20 person scrum. The only field position is the goalkeepers, everyone else has the whole paddock to run around in. It’s not meant to be that way but until they gain a bit of experience it will be like that. Passing the ball is an often unused option but the big kick in whatever direction you are facing is definitely the go.

As a former soccer player, standing on the side watching can be frustrating, but it’s also both amusing and rewarding. I am sure that the Lord feels a little like that when He watches us humans playing at life. He calls for us to pass the ball but we often kick it out. He tells us what position we are playing but we often we just want to be where the ball is. He gives us great play options and strategies and we just get excited being on the pitch and run around with the crowd. Sometimes though, just sometimes, it all comes together and we kick a goal, and the Lord is there cheering us on. What do we learn? Listen to the Lord and play the game He has set out. Follow His instructions and play our positions, as a team. That’s when the goals come, that’s when the game is most enjoyable.         With love, Alan