Tennis. My senior year of High School I ‘went out for’ the tennis team. Up to that point I had always played baseball. LOVED baseball. So, why change sports during my Senior year? Well, that’s another story for another day. I had NEVER played tennis before. Oh, sure, like any other teenager, I had spent hours in front of the television watching it (that’s sarcasm), but had never played. Nonetheless, at the encouragement of the coaches, I gave it a shot and tried to make the 6-man roster…of which I landed in the 6th slot 😉 If I recall correctly, my record was 8-3.
Question: How in the world did I pull that off?!?!
Answer: A Chameleon Spirit
It seemed that I played up to my competition. Whenever I had a match against a good player, I became a good player…but whenever I had a match against a great player, I became great! If only I could have harnessed the ‘great’ against everybody I played…then I may have landed that 1st man slot. This spirit, if harnessed and utilized effectively, can be useful in far more important arenas than sports.
Today, I was reminded that Paul had somewhat a Chameleon Spirit:
19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it (1 Cor. 9:19-23).
Strive each day to exercise that Chameleon Spirit. It’s not so much about blending in with everybody, but learning to communicate and connect with people effectively…right where they’re at. Yes, God’s Word is:
…living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
And when this sword is wielded effectively in the heart and mind of one who exercises a Chameleon Spirit, God’s Kingdom will advance all the more!
What are some creative ways that we can communicate God’s truths with a ‘Chameleon Spirit’?
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