Fickle Fans!

The word “fan” is a shortened form of “fanatic” and to say the least, some sports fans are fanatics when it comes to the sports and teams they love. These fans just can’t wait for the next game and all the hype and food that goes along with watching their favorite team. They also love to sport their team colors by the display of bumper stickers and window decals, wearing team clothing, or even painting their RV (recreation vehicle) the team colors. Now that’s devotion, right? But how far does that devotion go with all the so called “fans”? Fans can be so fickle. For so many, as long as their team is winning they will walk around talking up what “WE” have done and how it looks like “WE” are going all the way to the championships. However, when the team is on a losing streak, the talk turns away from “WE” to what “THEY are not doing right. Where does “WE” go when the SUPPORT is needed through the tough times? Where is the enthusiasm then? Couldn’t the team use some encouragement even more when things are not going well?

Are we fickle about our relationship with the church as a whole and our relationships with individual brothers and sisters within it? Are we a big fan when things are going well, but ready to withdraw our SUPPORT (either bodily or financially) when things may be challenging? Could our lack of encouragement during such times become an act of discouragement? Isn’t the encouragement and SUPPORT needed even more when things are challenging than when things are going well? Is our involvement perhaps characterized by talking about the “WE” as we sit wrapped up in the stands (the church pew) while others are doing the work on the field, then criticizing when it doesn’t seem to be going well?

The Hebrew writer addressing Christians going through a time of severe persecution, exhorted…

“(1) Let brotherly love continue. (2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (3) Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” ( Hebrews 13:1-3 ESV)

And Paul urged those at Thessalonica…
“(11) Therefore ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER and BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP, just as you are doing. … (14) And we urge you, brothers, ADMONISH THE IDLE, ENCOURAGE THE FAINTHEARTED, HELP THE WEAK, BE PATIENT WITH THEM ALL.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11 & 14 ESV)

Praise God He has not been fickle about us, but has continued in faithfulness to His plan and promises. Let us be that way toward one another within the body of Christ as we recognize how desperately we need each other and the SUPPORT that will be both given and received. If we can maintain a zeal for the church and each other “WE” will be seen as the place others will want to belong; a sphere of genuine love and SUPPORT that is refreshing in a world of so much fickleness. May we continue to embrace the “WE” through both the good times and the challenging moments as we seek to fulfill the purposes of God.

Have a great day REMAINING A FAITHFUL PLAYER ON GOD’S TEAM!
Carl

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