THE DRILL TEAM

Back when I was in high school – (I got there by covered wagon) – I was a member of the drill team.

Now, I'm talking about when drill team meant DRILL team – not a glorified dance team. I never would have made a "dance" drill team. I have absolutely no rhythm. I don't know if any of you ever watched "Seinfeld" or not – but I dance even worse than Elaine…

Think gawky ostrich in a blender…OK, that's not quite right…in a windstorm. (Sorry, Mr. Ostrich…)

So, my drill team was a drill team. We marched behind the school band in parades. We had a very difficult routine that involved all sorts of intricate patterns and arm movements. We would weave in and out amongst ourselves, while executing the routine with precision.

And we got judged.

You see, we weren't just *pretty dressing* that followed the band. Well, we were, yes, but we were also in competition, too.

Yup, we didn't just mess around – we competed.

And we were evaluated in many categories. Creativity of the routine, how precise and crisp the moves were executed, the cleanliness and appearance of our uniforms, the unison of our marching, the alignment of our rank and file.

We were good. We always placed, as I recall, and we won several times, too. Awards ceremonies were pretty crazy. Think of a room (chicken coop) full of high school girls (clucking hens) suddenly learning that they had won an award. Let me tell you, the murmur of clucking quickly turned into a cacophony of cackling!!

All very exciting.

So what has me thinking about this today?

Well, I'm picturing the Body of Christ as a drill team. Am I stretching it too much here? Hang with me…

Aren't we all following after the marching band of other believers that have come before us? And aren't we all following after the Drum Major, Jesus, who's leading the whole thing?

Haven't we, the drill team, had to learn the intricate and complicated pattern of Christian life? Learning how to weave in and out amongst ourselves, while executing our faith journey with precision?

Yes, and we are being judged.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down…" (Hebrews 12:1)

And really, if you think about it, every day we live as a follower of Jesus it really and truly is Parade Day.

So, how do we look?

Is our routine creative and interesting?

Do we move in precision, with the crispness of the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Are our uniforms clean – do they have an excellent appearance?

Are we marching in unison – weaving in and out, yes – but always with a purpose, an intentional pattern?

And how does the rank and file look?

Are we in alignment with Scripture, with Jesus' example?

You know, my parents came to every parade that I was in. They would line up on the streets with hundreds of other people. And when our drill team marched by, they saw two things.

One, they saw a cohesive team, impressive in its unity and excellence.

And two, they saw each individual face.

And then, of course, they saw MY face…

I'll never forget hearing, distinctly and loudly –

"HEY, Sharon!! WOO HOO!!"

And though I didn't break my stride, I'd hold my head up a little higher and I'd smile with the very biggest grin I could muster.

It's the same with God.

He's also watching the parade. After all, He's the One who determined the parade route, from beginning to end. And He's the One who put together the drill team. He made up the intricate routine. He's the One who's waiting to see how we execute it.

You know what?? Let's make Him proud.

When He looks at us marching by, let's show Him a cohesive team, impressive in its unity and excellence.

Because He sees each individual face…

And as YOU pass by, He says, "HEY, (put YOUR name here)!! WOO HOO!!"

That's worth our effort, isn't it?!

That’s worth holding our heads up high and smiling a very big grin…

How are you marching in Body of Christ?

Come join me for a cup of Jesus!

Hosted by Joan at the GRACE CAFE.

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