Get in the Game
I always get a kick out of listening to fans talk about their team’s performance whether it’s football, basketball or baseball. They are truly invested in the game and know everything there is to know about the game.
A true fanatic fan knows the game better than the coach and players. They will tell you with complete certainty which player should have played better defense or offense. They know who should have passed the ball more, who should have taken more shots and who should have stayed on the bench. They can tell you exactly how to win the game…. from the safety of the sidelines.
The problem is they’re not the ones taking the blows from their bleacher seats. They’re not risking, broken bones, injuries or the risk of one bad move causing their team to fail. They don’t risk the people who loved them during their last win turning against them bitterly when they lose. They are relatively safe in the stands.
However, life is not a spectator sport. You get the most benefits when you get actively involved. It doesn’t take much effort to sit on the sidelines talk about all that is wrong with our schools, churches, communities, cities and country, who is to blame and who should fix it. But God is not looking for talkers He’s looking for doers. God called us not to stand on the sidelines but to get actively involved in touching and impacting lives.
Jesus was the perfect example of someone who was not content to be a spectator. He touched lives and made a difference wherever He went.
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”Matthew 9:35-40
God does not want us to sit on the sidelines. He wants us to follow His example, to get in the game. He’s called us like he called his disciples to leave the comfort of the familiar and be one of the workers who will do all that is necessary to touch lives and leave His impression on the lives of those we touch.
Great post! God desires us to be doers of His word but fear keeps people so hidden to the point that they won’t even step out in faith in God. I know we all grow different but some where in our living this walk we must come to the place where we are sick and tired of the enemy keeping us down. The only thing we can do is keep praying that they will one day be a doer of His word and get busy in the vineyard for there is plenty of work that still needs doing.
I pray many more people read this today and be encouraged God bless
Amen, Bernadine; yes we often just stand and watch. Often I should just get involved, but I get scared that I say the wrong things. Thank you for the reminder to get in the game and share the Good News of His love and mercy.
I’m encouraged! I don’t want to be merely a fan! I want to play.
I pray that God only benches me for a quick breather now and then. The rest of the time, I want to be on the field for Christ!!!