Get in the game!

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” –Joshua 6:2-5 (NIV)

I’m a sucker for sports analogies and I heard a great one recently. Seems our preacher played a little football back in high school for a team that consistently competed for championships. When he was in ninth grade, the freshman team had completed their season, but the varsity was deep into the playoffs. The coaching staff invited the freshman and JV squads to dress out for the state title game. True to form, the upperclassmen dominated, building up a three or four touchdown lead by halftime. By the middle of the third quarter, it was obvious their opponents were not making a comeback, and the coaches began subbing in some of the younger players for a series or two each.

Sure enough, our hero got his chance and entered the game, bouncing around, just happy to be there. One of the seniors left on the field reminded him there was still football to be played: “Line up here, hit that guy, try not to get yourself killed.” The game ended, the good guys winning handily. Afterward the young guys, including the preacher, ran onto the field for the celebration. Though he hadn’t been in the game long enough to get his uniform dirty, he ran around like a banshee, jumped, hollered, gave high fives, then dove onto the damp field and slid into a pile of players, acquiring some respectable grass stains in the process.

The freshmen had nothing to do with the varsity boys getting to state. Nor was their participation a factor in the win that night. But by golly, they had played in the championship! They knew what it was to step onto the field, hoist the trophy, and be part of the winning side.

Such is our opportunity to participate in Kingdom work. The outcome is not in question. Our Captain has already done the heavy lifting. But God wants us to have a part. He says, “Hey, you’re suited up. Don't miss your chance to be part of this – it's gonna be epic. Get in the game!”

So what do you say? You up for it?

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. –1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)