Parenting isn’t the only area of our life (as if it can be quarantined to one “area”) where God can use what is happening to develop us Spiritually. Every day, God offers to use what we’re walking through to reveal His Kingdom to us, if we’re open to it. Which is why, last week at a hockey game, I was reminded of our need for humility.
It’s really easy to start thinking we’re pretty good at things. We get an idea, even a divinely inspired idea…and “know” that it would be a success…so we move towards it.
In Hockey, most of you probably already know of the term “offsides”. It’s a term that’s called when a player moves towards the goal and crosses the blue line before the puck. When this happens, the whistle blows, play stops…and must begin again from a central starting point. The puck must cross the line first.
So many times in life, we have our eyes on the goal. We know that’s where we need to head….and so we move towards it. Many times as parents, we cross that “blue line” towards the goal without the Spirit moving with us. We may sometimes ignore it…but “offsides” is called. We need to stop the play, and find a new starting point…asking that God would show us where He is moving us.
In hockey, the defensive players don’t have to wait for the puck to enter the zone to stand between the player and his goal. In the same respect, the things that try and stop us from moving towards our spiritual goals couldn’t care less if we move towards that goal without the Spirit. The goal wouldn’t happen.
I think this happens on a daily basis, if we were all honest…in small personal ways at least. But once in a while, I think it can happen on a larger scale. I believe having young children in general is a season of figuring out a new starting point…asking God where He is moving for the future of our family. I believe each of us can benefit from asking that in our own lives.
It takes humility. Whether in a ministry, or a job, a relationship, a family, a life, etc…that we’ve worked at for years….to stop and realize…we’ve relied too much on ourselves, and not enough on the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Humbling yes…but necessary. And freeing. Advent is the perfect time for us to recognize where we are, and aren’t, waiting on the Lord. With that I say, “Game On.”
ps. I realize that, as with any cheesy illustration, this one falls short. If you try, you’ll find things in it that don’t work….theologically. But as a hockey fan….I like it. So deal. 🙂
words from wick 
I know nothing of hockey, but I do get “off sides” so often. Everday in fact! Good analogy. Gives me something to think and pray about.
I think it was very well said!