What You Don’t Know

Ran across an article yesterday praising the DJ at the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium for playing "Shout" following the third quarter. Aside from the epic dancing by linebacker Troy Dye, the author noted this is a song that never fails. He encourages Oregon to play it every week. Have I got good news for him.As a born and bred Oregon Ducks fan, I suppose I can forgive a blog writer for a golf website for not knowing about a tradition which extends back at least a decade. The song dates back to 1978's movie Animal House, much of which was filmed at the University. I can't expect an outsider to know insider things.The insider things are one of my favorite parts of going to a Duck game. I know these things will happen every time:

• Before the game begins, Don Essig (stadium announcer since 1968!) will give the weather report, followed by the phrase (regardless of current weather) "It never rains at Autzen Stadium". I've shouted those words along with him in the midst of a monsoon.
• Before kickoff, the big screen will play a series of highlights with some uptempo music to increase the hype. As the clips get toward the end, the music will fade enough for you to hear radio announcer Jerry Allen's voice synchronize with the clip of Duck history as Kenny Wheaton jumps the route against the hated University of Washington Huskies to intercept the ball, run for the touchdown, and change the narrative of Oregon football forever.
• At this point the roar of a Harley Davidson echoes through the stadium as it leads the team out of the locker room with "The Duck" riding on the back.
• And as previously noted, at the end of the third quarter, the voice of Otis Day rings out, "Wellllllll, you know you make me wanna..." You know the rest.

Several years ago a friend gave us the chance to take our kids to a game when they were still pretty small. Before each of these moments, I made sure their attention was directed where it needed to be and gave them enough information to know how to yell along, see the event, or in the case of "Shout" to dance appropriately.Insider things are just more fun when you're...an insider.As a pastor I think about these things all the time as I preach, plan, and direct the staff. Are we helping new people become "insiders"?More recently, I have been thinking about this in regards to me. Not for me being an insider, but who are those who are "insiders" in my life? Who knows me well enough to get my little traditions?Over the years, experience teaches us not all people desire both to know us and love us. There are many who aim to know just enough to harm us. There are others who will never look past what they want from you to try to know you. This education can easily result in the creation of a very tight circle, and a resistance to being vulnerable.King David of Israel learned both the joy of having insiders and the pain of betrayal.

"As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."1 Samuel 18:1 ESV

"For it is not an enemy who taunts me, then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me--then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng."Psalm 55:12-14 ESV

He had many in his circle and while many were faithful, many caused deep harm.Here's the challenge for myself as much as for you: Find one more. The education is not without value. We should not rely on everyone for relationship. But where the education deceives us is when we begin to hesitate from relying on anyone. I have come to the realization recently that while I can't make the jump to "I can rely on anyone", I can embrace the idea that there is "one more" person who I can.Can you believe that? Not that everyone will be there, but that there is one more? If I can believe that and then commit to finding this person, then I can begin making choices to invite another insider. One step at a time, I can point out one of my little traditions and see if it resonates or is rejected. Not everyone will become a raving fan, but more people than I thought have become my friends.Have there been those who have hurt me since? Yup. Some deeply. Would I trade the new friendships for the chance to avoid that pain? Not a chance.Jesus poured himself into twelve men. One outright betrayed him and all abandoned him in the darkest hour. Then one came back to be present at the cross. Ten would give their lives because of their love for him. Throughout scripture we see relationships giving life and breaking hearts. One thing is clear throughout, we weren't made to do this alone.