West Cocoa Chat

I decided to go “Tug McGraw” with this post by playing off of Tug’s hit song’s title, “Live Like You’re Dying.” For the past few days it feels like we’ve been losing. Without going into great detail because things are still playing themselves out, our church was visited by Legalism a couple of nights ago. Thankfully this “visit” came not from within our body but from without. Legalism has many characteristics. One of the primary ways legalism evidences itself is in the valuing of issues over people. Jesus was constantly inveighing against the Pharisees because they tried time and time again to trap Jesus by valuing the issue over people in need.

Legalism will ignore, deny, and even defame people over an issue. In the name of being right on an issue Legalism will un-invite and even attempt to destroy people of good character, people who have been supportive of the Legalist and the Legalist’s organization in the name of being like Christ.

Without sounding too cryptic the recent visit of Legalism to our locale was not unexpected but nevertheless it was disappointing. The sad fact of the matter is that people in the world will treat one another at times in a more Christian like way than the legalist who claims to be living for and like Christ. If I had to characterize legalism’s recent visit to our church I would characterize it as a loss.

Then there was our game last night. Recently my son Steven has been in the Coach’s doghouse for unknown reasons. He did get in our District Playoff game drawing a walk, stealing (his 3rd in 3 games) 2nd and ending up scoring. After jumping off to a 5 to 0 lead, we ended up losing 11 to 12. Yes, another loss.

But on the way home our family had one of those family discussions that mark a family’s character. We were processing the game and the recent visit by “Legalism.” My son made me proud for 2 reasons.

First, despite his reduced playing time he supported our Coach. In fact, he has supported him throughout the season even at times when I was questioning some of his coaching decisions. To see this level of loyalty taking root in my soon to be 17 year old son gives me great hope for his life.

Second, Steven was aware of the reason (here we go cryptic again) why “Legalism” paid us a visit. This visit impacts something that he loves greatly. Again, seemingly another loss until I heard my son say something to the effect of, “Dad, they don’t know you like I do. I see you planning, praying, and working to make this event the best it can be. You are a Man of God Dad and when someone asks me who I admire I always say, “My Dad.”

Family, I had trouble seeing the road for the tears that were welling up in my eyes. Yes, it seems like this has been a week of losing but I’ll tell you what, if losing produces the kind of faith and loyalty my son is beginning to display as he becomes a young man, I’ll take losing over winning any day of the week.