Do More with Less
A simple definition of a powerful action: leverage. Archimedes (a Greek mathematician/physicist/engineer/inventor/astronomer) once said, "Give me a lever long enough, and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world." To leverage something is any technique to multiply gains or losses.
Jesus was a master at leveraging things in everyday life to explain, teach, and move people closer to God. His life and teachings are filled with illustrations of His day to draw out a more profound spiritual truth. He leveraged things in everyday life to multiply the impact and power of His teaching.
In the gospel account recorded by Matthew, we read, "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from the thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit." Two powerful images leveraged to accentuate a powerful truth. His point is that regardless of what people claim, their lives are a reflection of what they believe. He calls these false prophets wolves disguised as harmless sheep. The imagery is stunning. He is leveraging an important daily reality to draw out the deeper spiritual truth. Leverage can be an essential tool in how we help others draw people to God.
It's this idea of leverage that we wanted to use to impact our kids during our upcoming sports camp. Our goal is to take the interests that our kids already have and help them to see how those interests intersect with their relationship with Jesus.
The theme of the camp is "POWERED UP," which refers both to the sports they will be engaging in and to the way that the Holy Spirit fills us with God's power. On Friday, we will talk about how we need to "Seek God to Power Up." Just as we need preparation and practice to have success in a sport, we also need it to follow Jesus. We can seek after God and put in the effort to know Him better, and we will discuss ways to do that. On Saturday we'll focus on "Powering Up to Show God," We'll talk about the Fruit of the Spirit, and how that fruit in our life will help point others to Jesus.
Our sports camp will conclude with the ultimate #SundayFunDay. Sunday, August 11 from 4:00-8:00 Forum will be hosting a Pool Party at Wilson's Beach Club with free admission and an adult volleyball tournament (for some friendly competition). As if all that weren't enough, we're also going to grill hotdogs and have chips & drinks for you to enjoy while getting to know others from Forum. Wilson's concession stand will be open as well for those wanting to purchase more options. Find all the details and more at myforum.me.
Hope to see you this weekend!
Bradley