Most times when we hear the phrase “second wind,” it is centered around athletes who receive another burst of energy to continue on in whatever sport or race in which they are engaged.
Recently, when I heard the phrase, it had to do with the efforts of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ, DoC), which is actively working toward planting 1,000 new churches by the year 2020. If the denomination is looking at its goal date as Jan. 1, 2020, they technically have less than four years to accomplish such an amazing task. Yet, I believe it will be done. As a matter of fact, I think they have the potential to actually exceed that number of 1,000 new churches. Time will indeed tell.
What can time tell about us, so far, in this first half of the year? Have we remained committed to our New Year’s resolutions? Have we read the books, lost the weight, maintained organization and discipline? Have we reunited with the family members or friends to whom we vowed we would keep in touch?
What can time tell about us, so far, in this first half of the year? Did we give up in March, when things seemed to not pan out the way we thought they would? Did we allow our reasons to become excuses, as we spoke them over and over again, sounding like broken records?
While some of us have fared well, I’m sure others of us can answer yes to the above questions. It is to you, and honestly to me, too, I ask just one more question: What are you going to do about it? OK, two more questions: Will you allow yourself to receive the “second wind” so you can complete what you have set out to do?
This year, “A Second Wind” was also the DoC theme for Pentecost Sunday — that great day in Acts 2, when the Spirit of the Lord was received by and therefore filled the people, resulting in the start of the first church. The people could not have completed this task on their own. It took every willing and able person. It took the unity and efforts of all. Ultimately, it took the empowering energy of the Spirit of the Lord to bring the idea of the church to a place of realization.
Believe it or not, God has been and is too faithful to us to let life pass us by. God has been and is too good to us for us to not bring God’s desire for our lives to a place of realization. However, God will not force us to live. God will not do our job for us. We are the responsible party! So grab ahold of the second wind! Breathe in the empowering energy of the Spirit. Shake the dust of reasons and excuses off! Change your surroundings, including people if necessary, and put your faith to work! Here’s to living in and living out an amazing rest of the year!
Rae Karim is pastor at Northwood Christian Church. She can be reached at rae@Indyncc.org.
