Shout of Heaven

I was a cheerleader in high school. I know there are all sorts of stereotypes that could be connected to that statement, but I'll risk it. I proudly wore that skirt and sweater all four years. And I would like to clarify something. That red and white sweater was earned! Not just in tryouts and seniority, but one year, we had to literally prove our knowledge about football.

I don't remember exactly which year it was - I think I have mentally blocked it out - but the football coach decided the cheerleaders needed to prove their worthiness on the field by taking a test about the rules and basics of football. Of course, he personally made up the test and made sure we all took it.

Just so you know, I passed. As I remember it, we all did. I can't say for sure what Coach's motive's were. But it wouldn't have mattered what kind of football 'test' he required us to take, I'm pretty sure I would have passed. I had been watching football with my dad since...FOREVER! I don't ever remember NOT watching football on Sundays. And I wasn't a passive observer. I learned the game. I knew it. And having someone question my knowledge simply because I wore a skirt and sweater on Friday night, didn't sit well with me.

But how many of us would pass, if we were give a test on our faith - our knowledge of Jesus? How many of us are cheering Him on without knowing anything about Him? Oh, we can talk a good talk - name most of the players and brag up some of the highlights. But how much do we really know? Have we read the entire handbook? Do we know it well enough to explain it to others or teach our children?

Are we content just sitting on the sidelines visiting with the same bystanders every Friday night? Did we come to socialize and see our friends or did we come to really see Him? Are we open enough to pay attention and learn something or are we just putting in our seat time and then getting back to life as normal as soon as the game is over? And if someone gets hurt on the field, how does that affect us? If someone has a major achievement on the field, how does that make us feel? Are we so caught up in our discussions and projects on the sidelines that we forget that real people, real lives are changed on the field?

Or maybe we should look at this from 'Coach's' point of view. Just because we show up in the right place at the right time, with all the right attire on doesn't mean we know our stuff. Or do we? What if everyone just took for granted that we'd pass the 'test' just because we showed up in our skirt and sweater, yelling all the right cheers?

I can only speak for myself, but I know that I would fail such a test.

The best part about this... there will never be such a test. Thank goodness! We are saved by grace. His mercy and forgiveness are freely given. We simply have to ask. We never have to prove our worthiness and we never have to prove our knowledge. An open and humble heart are all we need. One thing I've learned over the years is how much He wants us to reach out to Him, how much He wants us to be free. So much so, that He will give us the opportunity over and over again - sometimes in circumstances we never see coming.

We can never DO enough to earn our way into heaven. That is the whole point of Christ dying on the cross for us. His life in exchange for ours. The hard part for us is accepting the fact that God sacrificed His son for us. That He loved us enough to do that for us. AND individually we must ask Him for forgiveness and accept Jesus as our Savior. Accepting that someone, ANYONE, loved me that much was a struggle for me. But realizing it was also the most important moment in my life.

The irony in all of this, is Jesus is the one cheering us on. He's the one standing on the sidelines, not missing a single thing we do - watching every move we make - wanting only the very best for us. He's the one cheering us on to freedom and happiness, grace and mercy. No one wants more for us than He does. And with each accomplishment we achieve, He is right there to say ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.'

I rest every day in His grace and His mercy. And Jesus has never questioned my worthiness... I wish I could say the same about Coach.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.