HUDDLE UP

We are days away from the beginning of the professional football preseason.  Football has become similar to Christmas---one season draws to an end and another begins.  I love Hobby Lobby, but when I noticed they had put their Christmas decorations out this summer---WELL I'm just saying!

One of my favorite parts of most sports is the huddle.  The not so secret meeting of the team--out in broad daylight--with all of us watching--they all get together and form a huddle.  One person near the middle is saying something--I am sure--but since everyone is facing in--we never know the speaker or what he spoke.  They all lean in---many times placing their hands together in the air---ear cocked toward the middle where the magic words are being proclaimed.  Stillness and quiet ensue at times and others the excitement begins to build---and then  they start jumping around or up and down---shouting and cheering and all of a sudden the huddle is over and the game begins!




One of the prizes for the hard work leading to being part of the team is the prize of being a part of the huddle.  You are in---one of the team---a part of the group-allowed to participate in the huddle.  During the game---before each play--another huddle--more secret words---another shout out before they break to play.  Football certainly has the most huddles, but almost all sports huddle at some point in time.  The thrill--the privilege---the high that must be experienced by being a member of the team --among the chosen--the elite---allowed to stand shoulder to shoulder with your teammates in the circle of the team.

Sunday mornings are sometimes called "Holy Huddles".  The Believers--The Chosen--The Elect---all together to be inspired---be pumped up---stand in the Holy Circle---all members of The Team attending the team meeting.  Instructions are given--backs are patted--hugs are given---all in one voice singing the team songs.  And then BREAK---the team pours out the doors and proceeds back into the world---the huddle has disbursed.

Sunday's Holy Huddle is quite similar to football's huddle---the huddle is a time to come together---encourage each other---remember why we are here and what we are trying to win.  The work---the work comes after the huddle---on the field and in the world---we run from the huddle with our game faces on--- the game is played after the huddle is broken.  What a privilege--what a joy--to be part of the holy team!

And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Mark 16:15