1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful
light. (NIV)
I was recently with some sports fans who were watching
American football. During one of the plays, a player went down with many other
players on top of him in a heap. As everyone got back up, the poor guy from the
bottom of the heap emerged, favouring one leg. He was helped to the sidelines
and was replaced with another player. Over the next few minutes, the play
continued, and the camera panned to the sidelines where the player who was
injured could be seen walking back and forth behind the bench with another
person supporting him. It appeared to me that he was walking off the injury,
which could have been a cramp in his leg. Here is where the good part comes: I
was not watching the game in vain, but for God's gain, as this is what He gave
me.
During our Christian walk in this world, we will at
times be in the game, but at other times, for reasons such as hurt or anger or
even needed times of rest, we will find ourselves on the sidelines. As in this
sport, we will still observe the "game" of life going on nearby, while others
come to our aid to support us in love and prayer as needed. The game will
continue on, and soon, we will also be back in it.
Jesus walked it out for thirty years as a man on this
earth, then He got back in the "game" for three years, teaching, praying, and
healing the people of Israel. We are also called to get into the "game":
Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world
and preach the good news to all creation." (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the times that You
walked humbly among us, and that at the end of Your time, You gave Your life for
us. Lord, help us to be in the game. Also help us to come alongside those on the
sidelines to help get them back into the game. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Julie Bowles
julieanni@rogers.com
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
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