There’s a buzz in Kansas City. It’s an excitement and a feeling that we are part of something big.
On my way to lunch today, I had the radio playing and between every song and every commercial break there was a message about the Chiefs. The DJ came on and talked about the hopeful three-peat. When I arrived at lunch, it seemed like everyone in the place had some sort of Chiefs clothing. At Little Lambs, our church preschool, the kids were decked out in Chiefs gear. In both of our church lobbies we have set up popcorn, cookies and opportunities to get your picture taken with famous players (cutouts of course…sorry to disappoint). But the excitement around the Chiefs is palpable, making the air almost electric.
Not being a native Kansas Citian, I’m a little taken aback and a bit in awe. It seems like everyone rallies around the Chiefs. And I think it’s a good thing. It brings people together across differences. It infuses hope and excitement into the city. It connects us. And it reminds us that we all have this deep desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Given all of that, allow me to say something a little risky here. Please be gracious with me. Here goes…I don’t think our love of the Chiefs is actually that much about football. Don’t get me wrong. I know a lot of us love the actual game. I am one of those people. The drama. The strategy. The athletic prowess. It’s great. But I think our love of the Chiefs (or any team for that matter) is about this desire that God gave us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
All of us want to contribute something bigger than ourselves. We want our life to matter to something larger than our individual lives. We want to make a difference. We want to be connected to and be a part of something big.
This weekend we are kicking off a new series called Ignite: Sparking Hope in Kansas City. It’s a series about our new vision, about where we believe God is nudging us. All of it is rooted in this desire, which shows up in our love of the Chiefs, but points to something much deeper. This desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
So if you call Good Shepherd home, you will not want to miss this Sunday’s worship, as we look into the future that God is nudging us toward. A future that is much bigger than ourselves…a movement to ignite hope in Kansas City.
I hope to see you there.
And of course…GO CHIEFS!
Peace,
Matt
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