I recently watched a documentary about Newcastle United Football Club, which competes in the English Premiere League. The documentary followed the team through an entire season.
 
Like all premiere league clubs, Newcastle United has raucous fans. Newcastle fans are known for wielding flags—What an atmosphere they create when thousands of fans are waving white and black flags in unison.
 
In preparation of an important home game, the fans purchased a custom banner that spanned from field-level to the top row of the stadium and from one end of the pitch to the other. The banner cost the fans 40,000 pounds. At the current exchange rate, that is $48,728!!! When talking about the purpose of the banner, the fans said it was important for the team to know the fans were “for” them.
 
A meaningful reflection of Jesus happens when we pay the price for others to know we are “for” them.
 
In the minds of the fans, it wasn’t enough to purchase a ticket and show up. It wasn’t enough to don the colors of the club, they wanted to do something more to let the team know they had their full support…And it cost them almost fifty-thousand dollars.
 
What price do you pay for others to know you are “for” them?
 
2 Thoughts
 
1. It’s a big deal to show up, but there is more we can do.
Presence is a big deal. An increasingly big deal in a world becoming ever disconnected in the name of digital connectedness. Perhaps there is something else we can do as an add-on to showing up. Maybe it’s bringing coffee for the person you’re visiting. Maybe it’s making a sign for the person whose game you’re attending. Maybe it’s asking good questions while being in the same room with another person.
 
2. The amount of time doesn’t always directly correlate with the impact.
The banner was only unfurled for a few moments, but the level of support communicated lasted far longer than the amount of time the banner was visible. Intuitively we often think that if we can’t do something for a prolonged period of time, it’s not worth it. I could not disagree more. Maybe now more than ever, shorts burst of support carry great impact.
 
As we walk through our week, let’s be on the alert for opportunities to show our support of others beyond mere presence. The price you pay to show support is an investment in the life of another.
 
Keep Reflecting Jesus!