Are we on the 1ststring?In football, the first string consist of the best player for each of the positions in the game.If the team has enough players, there can be a 2nd string and even a 3rd string.The 1st string usually starts the game with other players being rotated in throughout the game.This allows the 1st string players to rest and gives the other players a chance to get some experience and possibly get a chance at making 1st string themselves.You can imagine how being on the 1st string could tend to boost one's self confidence.
If you're not a football fan this analogy may not do much for you, but hear me out.Although the commentators devote most of their attention to the 1st string players, most of the games we watch on T.V. are actually won by the coaches.If you watch closely, you'll see that the plays are determined by the coaches and sent in by one of the substitutes or called in from the sideline.In addition to the experience of the coaches on the sideline, there is at least one coach in the press-box whose overhead perspective allows him to see things that individual players on the field can’t see.In order to be successful, all of the players have to understand the plays determined by the coach and do their best to implement them.
The Christian life is not a game.There is much more at stake than bragging rights for the victors.Our successes and failures have eternal ramifications, so we really need to make sure we are listening to the Coach.We have three coaches; God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.As a minister, I play an important position, but I am not the coach.The fact is, every position on the team is important.I’ve seen many football games lost by players who thought they could win the game by themselves.The same is true in a church setting.It takes all of us working together to reach our full potential.Granted, it may not seem very glorious to be an offensive lineman who never gets to carry the ball.It may seem kind of futile to do a good job on your passing route when you know the play calls for the running back to carry the ball, but we all have to work together for the play to be successful.
After being on the 1st string for a while, we tend to think we know enough to make our own calls.We even tend to come up with our own strategies and send them up to God for His approval.Let's make sure that God is making the calls.Then we can run the plays to the best of our abilities and be guaranteed the victory.We sing about it all the time, "He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood"!If we really believe we have the victory through Jesus, let's hit the field.The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.(Matthew 9:27)
