Bench Warmers

My son has one of those “funny” sports T-shirts. The one that has some clever quote of some kind on it. This one asks the question “How warm is the bench?” on the front corner pocket. On the reverse side of the shirt is the printed response of the wearer, “I wouldn’t know!” This shirt brings with it some sort of claim by the wearer that they are too busy out on the field of play to be aware of the condition on the bench. There is also the hint that the wearer is in some sort of state of higher activity and participation over that of the reader. We have grown up wanting to be the star Football player that makes the long last-minute throw for the touchdown that wins the game, or the star pitcher who pitches the “perfect” game that wins the World Series. We all dream of being the one person who makes that great difference out on the field of play, but to be truthful, most of us watch from the sidelines or up in the bleachers as others throw the long pass or pitch the perfect game. How we long for some way to be off the bench. In the church, Jesus calls each one of us to take up our cross and follow him. He also calls us to go into the entire world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel to everyone that we come into contact with. To do this type of ministry, we are given a challenge to move out of our steady state of existence into a more robust type of life. In sports talk nomenclature we must get off the bench and get into the game. God does not want us to watch the world from the sidelines, but to be openly engaging all those that God has placed on the planet and in our lives. It is in the interaction of Christians with the world around them that we truly find the type of living that God wishes for God’s family. God does not want a bunch of bench warmers who sit on the sidelines and only stand to sometimes cheer for others who are out on the playing field. God wants God’s people to be a people whose only desire is to be getting into the game. God wants people who want to be a part of the world and ministries that God wishes. In any game there are many positions that can be filled. We may not all be the star running back or the great quarterback, but we can be the lineman who was there at the right spot and time to set up the way for the team to run the ball in for the touchdown. Even the linemen of the team are on the field and not sitting on the sidelines. They are out doing the work of the team and working for the same goals of the team. What my son’s t-shirt should be reminding us that we are called to be an active participant in the lives of the church, and through this, the lives of all those that we touch. We should never be concerned with the question of “how warm is the bench”. We all should be out on the field being a part of the team. Get involved and get playing. It is first and 10 and the play has been called. Come on out and play. Praying for you as I hope that you are praying for me. Craig