Get in the Game

Another Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone. Super Bowl 50 joins the previous 49 championship games in the history books of professional football. This day means a lot of different things to different people. For many football fans it's a good day to bring out the party foods and join with friends to watch the season end’s big game. To fans of the actual teams playing, it is a day for passionate rooting for your favorite players. For football players whose careers have come and gone, this day may evoke memories of past games. But for the two teams, the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos, this is the day of intense focus on the game before them.

Spiritual things can be much like a Super Bowl game. The call to advance the Kingdom of God is by far the most important we have on this earth. Yet we see people responding in similar ways to these responses to another Super Bowl game. Some see this life as nothing more than an opportunity to enjoy themselves and plan for a party. Others may have entered a relationship with Jesus Christ, yet they sit on the sidelines cheering for those who are seeking to accomplish God's will on this earth. Although they have a knowledge of God, they do not take their personal role seriously.

The truth is, all born again believers are members of the team that is playing to accomplish the most important task of all. The body of Christ is to constantly strive to advance the Kingdom of God in this earth. “And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].” (Matthew 11:12 AMP) We do this by serving others, both by spreading the word of God and meeting practical needs.

In the game of football each player has a specific position and task to perform. Whether it be offense, defense or special teams, the game cannot be successfully played without each and every position being filled with competent athletes. These players have a specific starting place and task to perform. The game winning team is not determined by only a few players doing well. It takes each and every player performing their specific task to the best of their ability.     

Christians are united in Christ. “For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].” (Romans 12:4-5 AMP) No one believer has a more important call then another. We have all been uniquely gifted by God and are to use these gifts to play the role that God has given us to the best of our abilities. “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].” (1 Peter 4:10 AMP) We are all on the team and must play well.

Some plays in a football game may be more spectacular than others. The long pass that is caught and run into the end zone for a touchdown maybe more memorable and exciting than the five-yard gain achieved by a running back who received a hand off of the ball from the quarterback. But in reality, football games are won by advancing down the field and bringing the ball past the goal line. The score is the same whether it took one play or a dozen to reach the end zone. Likewise, the defense has a job to stop the other team from advancing. While a sack of the quarterback may be more exciting than limiting the team's advance to less than ten yards in four downs, the result is again the same. The opposing team’s advance is thwarted.

In the work of God some events may bring more attention than others. A preacher addressing a crowd of thousands may draw many to saving faith. Yet the softened heart of one soul through the words of a neighbor is of equal importance. Every act of kindness and display of love advances the purposes of God. His will is that all will come to know Him and receive eternal life. “And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.” (John 17:3 AMP)

Just as a quarterback would be useless without his teammates to either pass or hand off the ball, no church leaders can accomplish the work of God without every believer participating. The entire body must work together to complete the work. In the huddle the quarterback gives direction to the team concerning the next play. Likewise, the role of church leaders is to prepare us for the work. When God called leaders, “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.” (Ephesians 4:12-13 AMP)

In all this we can never forget the importance of the coach. The coach assigns the placement of the players and gives direction to the team. It is his plan that is executed. Our supreme Heavenly Father is far more than a coach. God not only places and directs His people, He has designed us perfectly for our roles. Like King David we can be assured, “For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.” (Psalm 139:13-14 AMP) We have a wonderful God!

So get in the game and play the role God has gifted you for and assigned you to. You’re an important part of the team and your teammates need you!