All to play for

These final matches in the group stages of the world cup are so very interesting. In some groups it is all but decided and all the loosing teams have to play for is pride, more like the salvation thereof. In other groups the scores are so tight that it is only certain for one team while the other three have to duke it out and hope that the other match ends in their favour. What a dicey situation to find yourself in.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to try and play your own match, all the while wondering what is happening in another game being played at the same time. The uncertainty surely can't build any confidence, yet you have it all to play for and you have to deliver your best.

They say art imitates life, but what I love about team sports is that they really do depict real life situations and there is so much you can learn from people's behaviour while they are on the field. Those parallels cross over easily to our spiritual lives too.

There are certainly times in life when things are uncertain. In Ephesians 6 Paul gives us clear guidelines as to how our behaviour should impact our lives. Although he is speaking to servants, this is relevant to so many areas:

Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Eph 6:6 Not with eye service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Eph 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Let us keep our heart and mind in focus knowing that as we do all things unto Christ, that our reward will come from God and not from men!