What Hellcats Taught Me

While watching a show that most would label as that dumb cheer show (Hellcats), I saw something deeper than just stunts and drama, I saw people standing together despite the consequences for the sake of doing what was right. Not what was easy, but what is right. As Christians today we sometimes fail to realize that we have to stand together,we are all for gathering in our churches and singing our worship music, but how willing are we to cry for another brother or sister in Christ? Are we willing to let them go with our very names on the line, to go into the jungle with them with our lives.

I can't say that I can right now, but I want to. I want to be a part of a unified body of believers, giving my all for them despite what hardships and 'lost' I might face. It's not easy to stand in that circle and punch my fist saying no matter what I'm in this with you. It's been almost two years since that fateful van ride that made me face the question of whether my faith is real. I decided that I would take the risk no matter what, but does that live out in my life. Do I uphold the Gospel despite the criticism, adversity and inconvenience. It not easy to let God use you, you have to make the effort and the choice. We battle everyday with our selfish nature. I have to tell myself to be purposeful to seek spiritual conversations. Thinking that it's just going to happen is like saying that the blind man will be able to get through a forest without our help. The people around us need us, and frankly I'd rather be that weird Jesus Freak, then to have to face Jesus and tell him I have no fruit to show from my walk with him.

The latest episode made me realize how much cheer-leading has in common with the church. I know how does short skirts and back flips have anything to do with being in the body of Christ. In this particular episode one cheerleader literally fell backwards into the waiting arms of her teammates. But here's the catch, she couldn't see them, which I physically don't think I could ever do, what with the fear of falling thing. But it was a symbolization of being a part of a team, and for this character it meant more, it meant changing her plans and thinking of how her decisions effect them. But she wasn't looking at them as assets, but as liabilities (I know that's the soon to be former major of mine coming out), she felt she owed them something that she was facing her choices alone. Yet when her team knew what she was facing and how all of their very livelihoods were on the line they still stood together, not knowing the outcome.

So in more cheer related metaphors, we have to be bases to those who are flying into the unknown for the sake of the gospel, because they need to know that we are willing to catch them when they fall. We need to give our all for the presentation of the gospel, our lives aren't a competition, and we don't practice to win at it, but we still need each other. The only time a cheerleader is by herself is during the tryouts (maybe some of us have forgotten what it was like to not walk with God). We are not just a religion, we are a family, we are responsible to and for each other. I am sure that God will even ask us questions on how good of a steward we were with other believers. It's not easy to stand in truth but it's even harder when you feel alone. I'm willing to strive to support and encourage you no matter what, I pray that you will do the same.

-A. Marie