When I was in high school, there were different types of players on our baseball team.
There was a type of player that came to practice on time and did what coach said to do. At a small school, we were thankful for everyone on the team, but these players didn’t make us much better.
There was another type of player that came a bit earlier than necessary and stayed a bit longer, and these players were more helpful to the team because the little extra they did helped them to be better players.
Finally there was a very small group of players, typically just two or three per year, who came early to practice, stayed later than everyone else, and on their days off, they practiced even more.
This tiny group were difference makers and were the main ones responsible for the games we won.
The church, while not a competitive sports team, can learn from these team dynamics.
Christians are not called to a minimum standard. And Christians aren’t called to do a little extra. We are called to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). We are called to honor God in everything we do (Colossians 3:23). We are called to be holy (1 Peter 1:16).
I ask myself the question, “What kind of ‘player’ am I?” When it came to sport, I was willing to give everything I had for my coach and teammates. I wonder what the church would look like, what our lives would look like, if we, as followers of Jesus were willing to do the same for the love of our great God and for the love of our brothers and sisters?
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
