2:2 – Friends Help Me Be Perfect. Jesus is My friend

#faithbites #faithjourney friends

Ideas for faithbites come from a variety of places in a variety of ways, just like God works in mysterious ways. Today’s idea comes from a good college friend of mine. While we haven’t seen each other in nearly 20 years, we are still close. And now, onto faithbites….

Many of us strive for perfection. We want to be the best parent, kid, friend, worker, lover, spouse, neighbor, Christian possible. We try to educate ourselves, exercise, listen more, do more, all with the goal of getting closer to perfection. Now, this perfection isn’t necessarily one of being smug. Many of us, including myself, strive for that perfection so we can do better for others. The intent is there, the drive is there, but unfortunately, life gets in the way.

You may have seen the movie “For the Love of the Game”. In it, Kevin Costner is a baseball player going for the perfect game. He has trained, he has the experience, he has everything he needs to make history. At the last pitch, the batter hits the ball, it bounces of his glove, and his perfect game is gone. Or is it? In that split second, the feeling of dread, of disappointment, of lose is all over his face. But just before it’s too late, a teammate scoops it up, tosses it to first, and the batter is out. The game is won, and it’s a perfect game. Goal complete.

We may not be baseball players trying for the perfect game. But we are trying for that perfect life. Isn’t it nice to know we have the best teammate you could possibly ask for? Jesus.

Scripture

• God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
• “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Reflection

Most of our battles are not played out on a baseball diamond. We don’t see the fans cheering us on, nor our own teammates, nor the opposing team, nor the errors we make that can cost us the game. But the funny thing is, we have them all. We have our loved ones and friends to cheer us on, we have them also as our teammates. Satan and his minions of sin are there to cause us to err and fall into temptation. Above it all in the diamond, in our being, in everything we do, is Jesus protecting us with his righteous hand.

Our Jesus is loving, caring, forgiving, and helpful. Our God gives us teammates to help us when we miss a ball, when we falter, and even when we fall. When we do fall, Jesus forgives us, picks us back up, and gives us strength to keep on our destination.

We may want to be perfect, but we know we won’t be. While we are striving to be the best we can be, realize that we will fall, but God will be there with his armies of friends and supporters to pick us back up, dust us off, and start a new inning.

Charge

As you strive for your resolutions or just to reach your normal goals, don’t do it alone. Remember you have a team on your side. Take a few moments in prayer and ask God for what you need. When you fail and fall, which you will do, look around for those teammates that God put on your side to help you.

Prayer

Lord, be with us as we move in our daily lives trying to reach perfection. While we won’t get there, give us the support, strength, and teammates to conquer all obstacles in our way. Let us know that there will always be another inning and another challenge for us to face and that we will never have to do it alone.