Tutus and touchdowns
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ÔThe righteous will live by faith”
Romans 1:17 (NIV)
Tutus, tap shoes, free throws and touchdowns. What do these things have in common? More than you think.
During the past months, Jen, a missionary, has donned her tutu and tap shoes, and she has spent more than nine hours a week with more than 150 students ranging from ages 4 to 16. Her husband, Seth, has been plunged into a world of free throws and touchdowns, as he has been asked to teach basketball and American football in a local school.
Are these the things these missionaries envisioned doing when they signed up to plant churches? Not really. Do they feel like missionaries as Jen is twirling around the dance floor or when Seth is showing specialneeds students how to dribble a basketball? Not necessarily. But isn’t that the point? Aren’t we, as Christians, told to live not by our feelings, but by our faith, choosing to believe that our dreams are happening even when we can’t see it?
God has opened doors to show the people of this country His love through everyday activities. It doesn’t feel like work. It doesn’t feel like “evangelism.” Yet somehow, people are asking questions; somehow, people want to know why we do things differently. God is good, holy and just; but God is also creative.
What unsuspecting hobby does God want to use in your life to show His love and truth to others? For more than a year, these missionaries prayed that God would show them how to be involved in the community. He answered in a most unusual way!
Lord, thank You for hearing the prayers of Your servants and for creatively opening doors for the gospel in a context readily understood. Lord, I pray that many today will become aware of abilities, aptitudes and spiritual gifts that have been divinely placed in their lives for a purpose. Amen.
Text exerpt from Voices of the Faithful. Order your own copy from the
International Mission Board
Resource Center