You can check out more of Bryan’s writing and wisdom at www.bdentzy.com
__________________________________________________________________________
Image via Wikipedia
I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching the A-Team on TV. It was the mid-eighties and I was a teenager, so the fantasy of being on the A-Team was attractive. I wanted to be cool and powerful and funny and to be able to do good when other people couldn’t (or wouldn’t).
In my ever-so-mature 13-year-old brain, I wondered if I could be on the A-Team. And What it would take. And which character I would be (B.A. Baracus, of course).
Right now are you thinking, “He’s not too bright is he?”
Of course I knew that the A-Team was a TV show. It wasn’t real. But that didn’t make me stop wishing or dreaming.
I’m Older Now
Now I’m in my mid(ish)-thirties. I don’t dream about being on the A-Team any more – at least not too often. I still have some of the wide-eyed wonder of that 13-year old I used to be. Not all of it, mind you. Some of it I’ve traded in. Some of it I still have – but now my focus has changed.
I’m not nearly as concerned about how to survive a fire-fight or how I’d transform a van into a tank in 30-minutes flat using only an acetylene torch, some sheet metal, and a stick of gum. I’m more concerned about how I might live so that my life has eternal value. Eternal impact.
If I dared allow myself to wish, I’d wish that my life would matter. That I’d be important. That I would be able to overcome insurmountable odds so that the Kingdom of God could be established. Now that would ROCK!
If I dared let myself wish, I’d wish that I was on God‘s A-Team.
I Don’t Qualify For God’s A-Team
Of course, I know that I’m not qualified to be on God’s A-Team. I can’t save myself much less somebody else. I can scarcely, even at my best, keep my focus on God and his unmistakable grace. I know what I should do but I am inconsistent at best. Or, I should say that I don’t qualify on my own merits. I’m selfish and sometimes arrogant and I sure don’t have enough talent.
Truth be told, I have company here. None of us are sufficient. None of us are good enough. Nobody in the Bible was good enough, either (except Jesus, of course).
But that’s the beauty of the Kingdom of God – it doesn’t depend on us. It depends totally on God! On how sufficient God is. On his strength and compassion and wisdom and knowledge.
There is no B-Team
That’s right! There is no B-Team. If you’re with God, you’re automatically on his A-Team.
If you are in Christ, you are a new creation (1 Corinthians 5:17) and are being formed into the likeness of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17,18). You have an eternal destiny and a divine calling of God to be effective in his Kingdom. To know him and love him and honor him and enjoy him.
And to share his love and compassion with others. To be part of what HE’s doing on the earth.
And THAT does totally ROCK!
[...] (@shaversrazor) at aaronshaver.com. Here’s a taste – for the full meal, you need click here. I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching the A-Team on TV. It was the mid-eighties and I [...]
By: There is no B-Team « Shaver’s Razor on June 23, 2010
at 8:44 AM
Oh that we – okay, I – would remember this and walk in the power, freedom, courage and creativity that we have as A-Team members. I’ve seen it done and have occasionally done it myself and WOW…there is a God.
Thanks for sharing as always Bryan
By: Steve Grossman on June 22, 2010
at 6:48 PM
Awesome post! Sometimes I forget how much I am actually loved by my Creator and I just settle for thinking that because of all the ways I screw up and let Him down that I relegated to the B-Team. But it’s just not the way He sees us. I still get so amazed by that grace and mercy.
By: Andy Whisenant on June 22, 2010
at 2:47 PM
Thanks Andy. I know that I need the reminder from time-to-time as well.
By: Bryan Entzminger on June 22, 2010
at 5:58 PM
Great post, Bryan! I’m so glad it’s not dependent on what *I* do – or, more than likely, DON’T do. But I’m grateful for “family” like you, who lead by example SO often. Be blessed!
By: Lori Stilger on June 22, 2010
at 11:56 AM
Well-said Lori. I agree with you completely. I’m grateful for all those who have gone before and those walking beside me right now.
By: Bryan Entzminger on June 22, 2010
at 12:09 PM
Wow, Aaron! Thanks for letting me post and for your great introduction. Is there anything better than being able to share spiritual things?!
By: Bryan Entzminger on June 22, 2010
at 11:35 AM
Great post, man. I love the concept that even though we’re not qualified to be on the “A Team”, we are on it by default already through Christ, which instantly qualifies the unqualified.
By: Grant Jenkins on June 22, 2010
at 11:34 AM
Thanks Grant. I sure am glad that I’m qualified based on Jesus rather than myself. And judged based on Jesus rather than myself for that matter.
By: Bryan Entzminger on June 22, 2010
at 2:06 PM