Now, what's YOUR story?

Bill’s story

Just a few balls were bouncing, and the gym was still cold when Dennis sat down at the scorer’s table and struck up a conversation with coach Bill who was setting up the scoreboard.

“Hope our shooters aren’t as cold as this gym.  I might have to step outside to warm up!”

Bill laughed and added:  “I’ll work with cold--I just hope our shooters show up.”

Dennis was on the Metro Mavs club basketball board and so he thought he better not just let that go.  “What do you mean?  The girls are flaky?”

“I don’t get it.  I’ll say that much.”  Coach Bill wasn’t much of a talker unless it had to do with the Bellarmine offense. 

Dennis pushed:  “Sounds like there’s something going on besides basketball.  Tell me about it.”
Bill finished connecting the controller to the scoreboard and gave his full attention to Dennis.  “It’s like this.  The girls sign up for the program.  Their parents drop a pretty penny to finance the activity.  Then we work hard to take individuals and create a real team.  Team!  If each member is not true to the team, then you don’t really have one!” 

Having broken the press, the coach was now driving hard to the basket.  “Then you get this from last night.  The boys take a tied game into overtime and I tell the girls they wouldn’t get much opportunity—they’d better go start warming up on the other court.  And Kelly says to me, ‘No.  I want to watch the end.’  She said, ‘No!’  It’s a good thing I had to give my attention to the guys!  One or both of us lucked out there!”

Dennis winced and tried to sound sympathetic:  “Welll, it was a great game.  And I think she’s got her eye on Bobby.”

Coach wasn’t buying it.  “I’m not done.  This morning she’s not sure whether she wants to play today or not!  How do you build a team with that lack of commitment?  It’s starting to affect the rest of the girls.  They know they can’t count on Kelly.  When I was a player, I busted my butt to get onto the team.  And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the squad once I was in.  There’s just no loyalty anymore!”

Dennis was genuinely sympathetic now.  “Okay.  I’m hearing you.  I agree—that’s tough.”  He went on: “Look, I know the family.  They’re great believers in faithfulness and don’t take letting people down lightly.  I’ll talk to them.  Either they are not aware of Kelly’s attitude, or they’re just thinking about basketball and not character.  They’ll see the value in encouraging Kelly to step up to her commitment.”
 
The story of us all: 

Faithfulness willingly resists the temptation of an enticing opportunity or the pain of a harsh penalty to stay true to a commitment.  Followers of Jesus imitate God’s loyal love.  They stand firm for the truth, for their word, and for relational commitments.
 
One important Scripture:

Proverbs 3:3-4 (ESV) 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
 
Your own story:  You’ve heard Bill’s story, you know the story of us all.  Now, let’s talk! 
Do you have a loyal friend—one who has been in your corner for a long, long time?

• The words “faithful” and “fidelity” usually come up in the context of a marriage.  How have you been impacted by either success or failure—either in your own marriage or those close to you?
• Where are you feeling the sting of unfaithfulness right now?
• Can you think of a time when your loyalty or commitment was severely tested?
• Do you feel the responsibility to be faithful yourself as much as you require faithfulness in others?
• What does it take to repair a relationship when trust has been broken by unfaithfulness?
• Why do people talk about being “faithful in the little things?”
• How has God demonstrated his faithfulness to you?

Ask someone:  Have you ever been betrayed?