Meet Me at the Playground: Let’s Play Red Rover
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Red Rover was a team game often played on the courtyard of Travis school. Sometimes we included the boys. However, if they became too rough, we quickly ousted them.
Two teams of about eight players would hold hands and line up facing each other. Then they would call one of the other team’s members with this rhyme:
Red Rover, Red Rover, let ?? come over.
That person would then run and try to break through the opponent’s line. If she did, she could take one of the enemy players back to her side. If she failed she stayed on the opposing team’s side. The game ended when one side had all the players. It was a fun game.
Christians have a challenging task. We are called to break through the barriers of ignorance, apathy, and closed hearts to win others for our team, God’s kingdom. We have received a commission to do this. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28: 19,20).
Our task is a daunting one. Since the 60’s our nation has strayed further and further from the teachings in God’s Word. We are fed lies like: All roads lead to Heaven. The historical Jesus is false. The Bible is not accurate. Modern social mores change God’s laws. The established church is dying. These falsehoods come from Satan, the father of lies.
We need to stand up for Christ. Paul admonishes us: Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Let’s look at our own lives. Are we committed to walk in the way Christ walked? Do we forgive as He did? Do we worship in God’s House as Christ did? After all, Jesus was perfect, yet He spent many hours in the synagogue studying the scriptures. Do we seek out lost people and share our testimonies?
When we look in the mirror of our lives, do we see a reflection of Christ? Gentle Jesus was a friend to all. He ate with the sinners and touched the leper. He healed the lunatic and forgave the harlot. Do we care for all kinds of people as He did? That is the kind of ambassador who breaks through the barriers and wins people to our team.
Dear Father, Give us power through Your Spirit to be brave. Help us break through the line and carry people back to the winning side of Christ.
Janice Yandell
