Playing Time :: Titus 2:7-8
November 27th, 2006
Eric Clarke
Titus 2:7-8 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
I remember fifth grade. That was a tough school year. My family had moved to a new place which meant I was going to a new school and had to make new friends. Easier said than done.
For most of the year I did not have a single friend. During recess I was not the last one picked, I was not picked at all. I was told to go away and spent recesses out near the fence alone.
My parents were at a loss. You can’t make someone be your friend. So I went to school day after day trying to find a way to be accepted and liked by the other kids at school. Then one day, another student asked me if I wanted to play in the football game. They had an odd number of players and I would make he teams even (in numbers).
So I played. I didn’t complain about what position I played or how much (or little) action I saw. I simply played as hard as I could; playing to the best of my ability. I was excited to be asked back the next day and the next. Soon I was a regular on the field, and slowly my role grew with group that played. Eventually, I was considered a part of the gang and a regular member of the “football guys.”
When I look back on the experience I realize that it was a life lesson that reflected the verses in Titus. In the end it was my willingness to do good and a refusal to speak evil of others that eventually won my acceptance and a place where I would be included and even respected in the group.
God gives us both sides of the coin in these verses; do what is good and speak what is true. It is hard to not have respect for such a person, and that is exactly what I am called to be!