In all my years of playing sports, I never enjoyed sitting on the bench. For me it was never enough just to be part of the team. (I don't like participation ribbons, and I have been known to throw a 2nd place trophy in the trash!) I learned this about myself early in life. 8 years old. Douglas County Amateur Baseball Association - the DCABA. I showed up at the designated time, on the designated field with a lot of other 8-10 year olds planning on a fun summer of baseball. I tried out, made a team, started going to practice 2-3 times a week. Was handed my jersey (Bullets, #15) and my hat (which never fit my head) and couldn't wait until the first game.
I had never played organized sports before so I don’t know what I expected but the day of the first game came and I was ready to go.
The starting lineup was read and Harris was not on it…I was forced to sit and watch from the bench. I don’t remember a whole lot from that game – I am sure I got in (right field most likely) – but I remember not liking to sit the bench. I was determined not to let that happen again. By the end of that first year I was seeing more playing time (occasionally center field and left field) and the following year was one of the starting pitchers and found my place at first base. I started every game for the next 7 seasons.
For me it was frustrating to be on a team and not be in every play.
Did you ever experience sitting the bench…maybe not literally on a baseball team…
In school you were never chosen first or even second.
At your job you never seem to get the recognition – low man on the totem pole always.
You’re not the room mother that comes up with the way cool craft at the school Christmas Party.
You just never seem to shine – always take a back seat– end of the line to everything.
Maybe you have been the successful one. Dean's List. Promotions up the corporate ladder. Fantasy Football League Champ 4 years in a row. But when it comes to church. When it comes to spiritual things. I don’t know enough. I could never teach or lead a small group. I don’t feel comfortable “ministering." I don't have any real gifts or talents to offer. I do better if I just blend into the crowd. Fill my blue chair as faithfully as I can and cheer the others on.
But there is a problem with that mindset – that view of church. If we think about it, ultimately it is a low view of God.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
God has created you, designed you, gave you spiritual gifts and abilities and invited you to be a player on his team. There is a position that he has prepared in advance for you to play. God made you to be in the game. You have a position to play. The rest of the team is counting on you, needs you.
Howard Hendricks – “I’ve never met a Christian who planned to live a mediocre life, but I have met plenty of mediocre Christians.”
Many Christians live their lives as if they are on God’s B-team – they come to practice – come to church – fill a blue chair – but the rest of the week they sit the bench, leaving the ministry game for others to play.
God doesn’t have a bench. God doesn’t have a B-team. God isn’t looking only for all-stars, super Christians. As believers we are all on the team – all in the game – all expected to play our position. You are God's handiwork! ( a part of God's Team)
Designed to do good works! (you have a position to play) Prepared in advance for us to do! (get in the game!)
If you want to learn more about how you can 'get in the game' at Eagle, I would love to talk to you!
Put me in Coach!
(the picture is actually my 10 year old team and that's my Dad, the best coach ever, standing behind me)
I had never played organized sports before so I don’t know what I expected but the day of the first game came and I was ready to go.
The starting lineup was read and Harris was not on it…I was forced to sit and watch from the bench. I don’t remember a whole lot from that game – I am sure I got in (right field most likely) – but I remember not liking to sit the bench. I was determined not to let that happen again. By the end of that first year I was seeing more playing time (occasionally center field and left field) and the following year was one of the starting pitchers and found my place at first base. I started every game for the next 7 seasons.
For me it was frustrating to be on a team and not be in every play.
Did you ever experience sitting the bench…maybe not literally on a baseball team…
In school you were never chosen first or even second.
At your job you never seem to get the recognition – low man on the totem pole always.
You’re not the room mother that comes up with the way cool craft at the school Christmas Party.
You just never seem to shine – always take a back seat– end of the line to everything.
Maybe you have been the successful one. Dean's List. Promotions up the corporate ladder. Fantasy Football League Champ 4 years in a row. But when it comes to church. When it comes to spiritual things. I don’t know enough. I could never teach or lead a small group. I don’t feel comfortable “ministering." I don't have any real gifts or talents to offer. I do better if I just blend into the crowd. Fill my blue chair as faithfully as I can and cheer the others on.
But there is a problem with that mindset – that view of church. If we think about it, ultimately it is a low view of God.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
God has created you, designed you, gave you spiritual gifts and abilities and invited you to be a player on his team. There is a position that he has prepared in advance for you to play. God made you to be in the game. You have a position to play. The rest of the team is counting on you, needs you.
Howard Hendricks – “I’ve never met a Christian who planned to live a mediocre life, but I have met plenty of mediocre Christians.”
Many Christians live their lives as if they are on God’s B-team – they come to practice – come to church – fill a blue chair – but the rest of the week they sit the bench, leaving the ministry game for others to play.
God doesn’t have a bench. God doesn’t have a B-team. God isn’t looking only for all-stars, super Christians. As believers we are all on the team – all in the game – all expected to play our position. You are God's handiwork! ( a part of God's Team)
Designed to do good works! (you have a position to play) Prepared in advance for us to do! (get in the game!)
If you want to learn more about how you can 'get in the game' at Eagle, I would love to talk to you!
Put me in Coach!
(the picture is actually my 10 year old team and that's my Dad, the best coach ever, standing behind me)
Ted Harris
Associate Pastor