PUT ME IN, COACH
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'” Isaiah 6:8
Did you play sports as a kid? I did and loved it. Basketball became my main sport of choice. I played on the school team from 5th grade until high school graduation. I would have played in college were it not for one small problem – I wasn’t good enough.
Most of us who have played sports have had the unwanted experience of “riding the pine.” Obviously, not everyone on the team gets equal playing time. In seventh and eighth grade, I had many games where I was on the bench, chomping at the bit for the Coach to call my name and get me on the basketball floor. As the famous song, "Centerfield," by John Fogerty says, “Put me in, Coach. I’m ready to play.”
PLAYING ON GOD’S TEAM
When it comes to the Lord’s team, are you chomping at the bit to get out there for Jesus? Isaiah surely was. When the Lord asked the penetrating question of who would go out on the floor for the King of kings, Isaiah’s hand shot up. “Put me in, Lord. I’m ready to go anywhere and do anything for You.” And God responded by selecting him as His spokesman to Judah for fifty years.
Isaiah was ready, willing, and eager to play. How about you?
The sad reality is that many Christians are simply Sunday morning bench warmers … and they don’t seem to be too bothered by that fact! When the Lord says, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” there is silence from so many of the lambs. Is there silence from you?
Remember, Christianity is not a spectator sport. God did not save us to sit, soak, sour, and stink. He saved us to serve. He wants us to get in the game and put our spiritual gifts into practice … whatever those gifts may be.
LOOKING IN THE MIRROR
Be honest. Are you sitting on the spiritual sidelines? Are you riding the pine? Our Coach, the Lord Jesus Christ, wants to put you in the game. He wants to use your life to make a difference in His kingdom. “But, I’m scared!” you confess. Everyone is a little bit, especially at the first. It always is a little scary when you initially enter the game and teach that class, share your faith, sing that solo, do that deed in His name, and make that stand for Christ. But the good news is He will be with you every step of the way.
“But, I don’t have the ability!” you counter. Well, here is a great truth. God is not looking for people with ability. He is looking for people with availability. You see, the best ability is simple availability. God wants people just like you to say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me wherever You want me to go. I am surrendering myself to You. Use me, Lord, as You see fit.” That is a prayer God longs to answer.
Jesus is looking down the bench today to see who will lock eyes with Him and say, “Put me in, Coach. I’m ready to play!”
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. I would love to hear from you and read how God is working in your life for His glory. You can contact me at [email protected].
Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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