Free on the Streets: Seeing the World DifferentlySample

TAKING A SLAM — Dealing with Sin

Richard Mulder

READY:

“If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:8-9

SET:

Making a video part as a skateboarder was fun for me. The whole journey of trying my best to get the hardest tricks on film, try after try, and finally landing the trick was quite satisfying. I would be lying if I said that in the process of filming my entire video part, I never took a slam. Slamming is a baked-in part of skateboarding and progressing towards the goal of landing tricks. They are painful, and some slams can hurt so bad that you start to question why you even started skateboarding in the first place.

I remember one time in San Francisco filming for a chocolate video. I was trying to film an ollie over a planter to backside tailslide on top of a tall brick wall, and my right leg slipped off, splitting open my shin badly. I still have a scar on my leg as a reminder of that slam. I could've done one of two things: being discouraged, I could've stopped trying, or I could get up and keep going, reminding myself that slamming is part of the journey towards landing the trick. It's like this "failing forward" mindset towards landing the trick instead of beating yourself up and wanting to quit.

We should deal with sin in the same way we deal with a slam. As we walk with Jesus, learning how to walk with Him closer is the goal. In this process of learning how to walk closer, there will be moments where our words and actions do not align with who we are now as children of God, born again of the Spirit, and we sin. In this process of learning how to walk in this new life with God, we will take these slams, and when this happens, sometimes it can feel incredibly discouraging—some hard slams will even cause you to question if your faith in God is even real.

In these moments when you find yourself taking a slam with sin, just like the skateboarder who understands the process towards landing his trick, his eyes are focused on that prize—likewise, get up from the slam and keep your focus on God. This scripture in 1 John encourages us to continue to walk with God and be vulnerable about our slam with other trusted friends who also love God and are serious about the journey. Ask God what you can do differently the next time around to not take the same slam.

God hates sin so much that He did something about it when He sent Jesus, who took the ultimate slam on the cross, dying for our sins. Just like the big scar still on my leg from my slam years ago, Jesus also has the scars of sin on his body; however, His scars are forever and will speak to all generations of His great love towards us. Knowing that slamming is part of the process of growing and journeying in our faith in God, let us deal with it by sharing our slams with others who love God and keeping the focus of our hearts and minds on the course of following Jesus!

GO:

1. God has given me a way of dealing with sin (by going to Him and going to other trusted followers of Jesus). Am I dealing with sin correctly so that I stay walking in the Light?
2. When I sin (slam), I do not have to run away from God in shame and guilt, but I can run towards Him asking for help. Do I believe that?
3. How can I practice this today?

WORKOUT:

Galatians 1:4

James 5:15

OVERTIME:

Father, we thank You for the work of the cross — Jesus dealing with our sins once and for all. We also thank You for showing us how to deal with sin when it comes up in our lives — You are asking us not to quit, stay in relationship with one another, and shine light in these areas where sin is trying to bring us down. Holy Spirit, we desire to have the same heart and mind towards sin that You have towards sin. Jesus, we thank You for asking us to continue to run towards You when we slam, and keep our eyes focused on You — as we become like the One we behold! In Jesus's name, amen.

Author Bio:

Immersed in the mid-90s skateboarding culture and struggling to make sense of our world’s brokenness is when Richard said yes to Jesus. Using professional skateboarding as his platform, Richard has taken the opportunity to share a life of purpose found in the love of Jesus and has traveled to more than 20 countries to speak about the kingdom of God. In 2020, Richard helped initiate the Mess Halls, which is an international skateboard community formed with the simple intention of helping people learn how to invite God into every area of their lives and create meaningful relationships along the way. Richard lives in Southern California with his wife Sarah, and three boys.