12th man musings with God...

God spoke to me on a walk today as I was observing and listening...here is what I heard...

On my walk today I saw numerous 12th Man Flags flying over and around homes in the neighborhood. The Flag, as we around the Puget Sound know, identifies folks with the Seattle Seahawks, as fans. I got to thinking, the 12th Man Flag is an outward visible sign for fans. 


Then I got to thinking about Jesus followers; we don't wear flags, jerseys, or colors that identify us. We have an identity that has been imparted to us by faith in the person of Jesus. The outward expression of Christ in us is how we express His love, from being with Him. In being with Him we have the opportunity to receive His love. He lavishes love on us and in receiving, we are able to give love away, which is expressed in many ways. 

However, if we aren't able to receive His love deep into the depths of our brokenness, become aware of our emotions and experience Jesus coming to us in the midst of them; we miss out. We miss the chance to immerse ourselves in His love, acceptance, forgiveness and grace. You see, love heals and protects us. 

The result in missing out is that we will most likely remain emotionally unhealthy and our spiritual growth will be stunted. Christ's Flag, if you will, in us cannot fly or if it does fly at all, there are tattered and torn holes in it and the beauty of its fullness is never displayed. Christ sees the tattered and torn "Flag" flying (us) and says again, I came to heal you, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3  (ESV)

You see the reality is...It is impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature.  This is a fact and it is an undeniable truth. Spiritual Maturity and Emotional Health are inseparable. 

We can be Jesus' fans, like the 12th man fans are for the Seahawks, but we won't experience the journey into wholeness and a fully flying flag if we don't join Jesus in all He has for us. The outward expression of His love is hindered too, cuz what often leaks out of us are toxic relational responses which aren't loving. Everyone desires to grow in their ability to receive and give love....love others well...love as the family of God. 

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As the Superbowl approaches, let's raise our "Flags", the interior life of Christ in us, outward to love others well. As we the 12th man scream, Go Hawks!, on Superbowl Sunday, lets also scream quietly inside our hearts, Go God!, have your way with me in 2015. 

For more information on raising your Flag, click on the flag raising photo. 

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