Average People.  What a concept.

Unfortunately this statement is a perfect reflection of the type of stuff modern churchianity throws our way.  Statements like “You don’t have to be special for God to love you” or “God loves average people”  are all too often found in the pages of the self help type devotionals propagated today.

I saw this statement in a coaches devotional guide given to me by the leadership of a values based sports league that my three year old son participates in.  You know how it goes, your child wants to play some new sport – you fork out the 70 bucks or so and then get roped into coaching.  The coaching commitment required several things – running practices and games, communicating with parents, buying some type of goals to use at practice, and leading the team in some type of devotional for the kiddos. 

The league has been great – Kade’s teamates have been a lot of fun and each of their families bring a unique dynamic to the team.  I have enjoyed coaching the little guys and gals and am proud to say that we are undefeated, although I think it has more to do with the fact that we don’t keep score than my coaching.

The devotions have been fun, we’ve talked about the fact that God wants to be the coach of our lives and that life has rules just like soccer does, and that if we are going to “win” at life than we must follow God’s rules.  However, we have not said to these kids that God loves average people.

I understand the point behind this statement, but it’s all wrong.  I’m ok with not keeping score so that every one’s a winner – these kids are three and have the rest of their lives to deal with the reality of winning and losing.  But to say that God thinks their average – and is ok with that, or that he loves them in spite of their “averageness”.  No thanks.

When I look at my son and each of his little buddies running up and down that field I don’t see average.  I see the creation of God, each one unique in their gifts and abilities.  From the little guy who scores every time he touches the ball to the little gal who claims a victory just by stepping on the field.  These kids are anything but average. 

The whole idea of an average human being is quite ridiculous when you stop and think about it.  How do you take the individual aspects of the creator masterfully on display through the miracle of life and reduce it to average. 

Here is rather my devotional for kids (and their parents).  God made you in his image, unlike any other being ever in existance, with a unique personality, appearance, strengths and weaknesses.  His desire is to indwell you with his life so that he can empower you to live supernaturally with him now and through eternity, and sacrificed himself to make that possible.

That’s a little wordy for three year olds, so for them I put it this way – “You are awesome, and God made you that way because he loves you!”

God is good.  Thanks for visiting.

Josh