4 For as
in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same
function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually
members one of another.
Out on
the baseball field, there are different positions. You have pitchers, catchers,
infielders, and outfielders. Each one has a different role and a different area
of responsibility on the diamond. Pitchers throw and catchers catch, infielders
throw to first and outfielders run like gazelles to make great plays. Of
course, that’s the simplified version. What we have to remember, however, is
that while there are different roles, we have a common goal. As Herm Edwards
once said, “You play to win the game!” That’s something we can’t forget.
God
gifts us all in different ways. If we get caught up in our position in the
Christian life, we risk forgetting our purpose. As 1 Peter 3:18 says, that
purpose is to: “…to BRING YOU TO GOD” (my emphasis).
Jesus
came to remove the obstacles that separate us from God. He came to right the
relationship between God and us. And when Jesus gave us the charge in Matthew
28:19 (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
game of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”) He wanted to
reinforce that playing our positions well and doing our part is beneficial but
the purpose is bringing people back to God. As John Piper said, “Life is not
about getting people to heaven, but getting people to God.”
As you
perform your tasks today, be diligent and use the talents you have been given.
Mistakes and frustrations will come, and we can easily allow our attention to
turn inward, forgetting that the purpose is to win the game. Winning in the
game of life means giving yourself and others a chance to reencounter or
encounter for the first time our living God through the sacrifice of his Son,
Jesus.
Dear Lord,
we thank You for giving us each a position to fill in Your plan. We pray that
we would do our very best to use that position to bring others to You. In the
Name of Jesus, Amen.
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