Saturday, February 2, 2019

Background


   If you were to ask my siblings and myself what we like to do in our free time you would probably only get a few answers that we all agree on. We like to play sports (mostly soccer), watching certain movies (If we can agree on the movie), and playing video games (If we can agree on the video game). One things we enjoy doing is playing the video game Just Dance. It's good exercise and helps us learn cooler dance moves.
   One day we were playing Just Dance and I was up. I was in the middle of my song when my sister said, "look at that background." I said, "what?" At the same time I almost lost my rhythm because I wanted to look at the background. It was a pretty cool background. Then it was my brother's turn. My sister once again said, "look at that background it's so cool." That's when my brother and I began to say, during every song, "Hey Kristen, look at that background it's so cool." For those of you who haven't seen Just Dance backgrounds they move and change, that's what makes them interesting.
   Anyhow, it became a joke to say that every time a song came on. I would have to say that many people enjoy backgrounds. We all like different styles of art, but we all like to have something that makes our stuff ours. That's God's creativity in us.
   We like artistic backgrounds, but what about people's backgrounds? Every person has a background and a story. We all have different likes and experiences that make us who we are. It seems like many times we tend to not want to know other people's background. We like surface level relationships. I think it's because we don't want to get hurt. We don't want to go deep with others because we are selfish. That's not what God calls us to do.
   When I look at my students, the girls I coach, friends, or family I try to see them how God sees them. It's not always easy especially when that student is hitting me or misbehaving, but I try. When I first met my friends, students, and players I only knew what they looked like. In the picture of their background I may have only seen one color. If I never tried to get to know what they like (favorite color, food, etc.) then I never would've seen more colors in their background. Then, if I try to go deeper and get to know their story, I will see more colors and maybe even pictures in their background.
   Obviously this is a bit of an allusion, but you get my point. God made each of us. We are a work of art to him. He gave us our experiences, likes, dislikes, and background. He doesn't just see us in black and white and leave us. He keeps adding to our background because he loves us. He wants our story to be part of his story, of his background.
   Each of our stories are connected if we are part of the body of Christ. Imagine all the colorful backgrounds of those in the body of Christ together. What a picture that would make!
That's why God made us unique. He knows we will all have our own journeys. He knows we won't all reach every person but we can reach some. I can get to know, love, and mentor those around me. That way their background will grow and my background will grow as well.
   So, do you only have surface relationships with others? Are you trying to get to know others to help them grow? Will you choose to grow in God so your background is strong in him?
   Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11
   Image from here

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