Spectating

I was born and raised in Kentucky. So it goes without saying that Wildcat basketball is in my blood. Rupp Arena, Midnight Madness, 7 National Titles: the best program on earth. I buy UK merchandise, tailor my plans for 6 months out of the year around tip-off times, and yell until my throat becomes a tattered mess of reddened tendons. I’m a true fan.

March is my favorite time of the year. I, along with millions of other fans across the country (albeit supporting lesser teams), sit on pins and needles as one-by-one every heavyweight and Cinderella is knocked out of the tournament until only one team is left standing. Year in and year out, it is the one sporting spectacle that never fails to deliver.

But for all the zeal I pour into cheering on the Big Blue, how much more energy would I exude if I could play for them? Even in defeat, wouldn’t it be infinitely more satisfying to be in the game than to just scream at my TV from the living room?

Here’s the deal: God never made you to be a spectator in your life. Those skills you have, those things that make you tick—they were put there by your Maker. The way you can paint, the way you can organize, the way your energy is infectious, the way you can listen to people empty their hearts out, the way you see things differently—all put there by the Lord.

These giftings you have are meant to be used. Sometimes it can be easy to watch the star players and just be content to say, “Man, they are awesome!” Yes, they are awesome. But one of the cool things God did was make us all part of one body. You see, a body needs all of its parts to perform at its peak. No, we may not have the flashy, show-stopping abilities of John Wall, but we all have something to add to the team.

Is it good for you to support others? Yes. Is it OK for you to not take the lead in every single situation? Yes. Should you rabidly cheer on those around you who are following hard after their own dreams? Absolutely. But God has something for you, too. Something that He designed specifically with you in mind. Something that is all your own. Go get it.