Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.

It is football season,
and I think I am more excited this year than most. Maybe it is because I have
been locked up in this house since March, maybe it is because the Dolphins
ended strong last year and look to be on the way up, or maybe it is because Tom
Brady is no longer with the Patriots, and the AFC East is up for grabs.
Whatever the reason, I am looking forward to watching the games today and
seeing how the new season unfolds.

One thing that excites
me about football is that teams, circumstances, and players are constantly
changing. The offseason brings us free agency, where the players we love make
decisions to stay with the team that drafted them or leave for what looks to be
a better opportunity. It also brings us new players, rewarded for their college
careers and given a chance to compete at the highest level. And the offseason
comes with coaching changes, where some old faces get the opportunity to turn
around a struggling team, or some new faces finally get a shot at being the
leader.

This year, I feel like
we have had an “offseason” at church as well. When we were forced to shut our
doors, it was like the ending of a season, and decisions needed to be made
about how we would prepare for the next one. Would our “players” stay with the
team that loves them and brought them in, or would they leave for what looks to
be a better opportunity? Would we gain new “players” through offering virtual
services and community outreach? And would we see some “coaching changes” as
members take this time of isolation to reach out to one another, support those
in need, and help our leaders keep the team going during times of uncertainty?

Yes, some things have
changed as we enter this new season, and it is up to us to make our “team”
successful. We need to support the “players” that have stuck with us through
the transitions and been dedicated to our mission. We need to accept the new
“players” with open arms and make them feel welcome in our community. And we
need to have a game plan, with “coaches” that are open-minded, strategic, and
ready to work to bring people closer to Christ.

Just like the new
football season, I am looking forward to seeing what the new season of church
will look like. I am excited about the new programs that are soon to be
offered, I am excited to strengthen the old programs that keep people
motivated, and I am excited to see how we can go into our communities and help
others find Christ. With God as our coach, each day is new, and the opportunity
to defeat our opponents is within our capabilities. Light will overcome dark.
Peace will overcome violence. Forgiveness will overcome grudge. Grace will
overcome blame. And love will overcome hate. So, strap on those helmets, work
hard to complete God’s mission, and remember that each day is a new “season”
and an opportunity to bring others to that glorious goal line!