We Belong—no Cuts

If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Romans 14:8

My husband, Mark, is a knowledgeable, kind, funny, inspiring teacher and coach of middle-school students. For over twenty-five years, he has invested his days in the lives of young teenagers, teaching them how to play a variety of sports. Through his wonderful wit, sense of humor, and laid-back style, he encourages children at that awkward age to learn new skills and the rules of the game. Every summer I fall in love with him all over again when he dons his whistle at his private basketball camps and teaches not only the fundamentals but the joy of the game.

Every school year Mark has to cut players from the girls’ tennis team. It is always an agonizing experience for him, one that gives him many sleepless nights. I melt like butter, witnessing the level of love he has for the students in his care. Cutting players who yearn to belong is the last thing he wants to do, but he has to make the hard choices because there can only be so many players on a team with a limited number of practice courts to hone their skills. When it’s time to travel to a match, there is only so much space in the vans and so many days available in a season to fit in all the games.

“I could never do what you do, Mark,” I told him. “I could never be a coach because I would not be able to tell someone he or she couldn’t be on the team!” I so admire the grace with which Mark handles this process.

Thankfully, once we are on the Lord’s team, we cannot be cut. Because of Christ, our spot on His team is secure. Let’s give a cheer for being part of God’s eternal squad! We belong—no cuts!

Read Romans 8:38-39 aloud. We cannot be separated from Him.