Don't you love being a part of the action? Right in the middle of the game play, when the game is tied, with only a few seconds on the clock, and you've got the ball. Wow! We love it when life is exciting and going well.
But sometimes things come to a screeching halt and you feel like the coach took you out of the game and sat you on the bench. You're watching the game you love...from the sidelines. You know you possess valuable skills. You've worked hard to train, and practice, and study your opponent. You've made game plans, scheduled scrimmages, been a faithful teammate. You know that you've prepared harder than many, yet, now, you don't get to take part in the victory. You only get to watch. You wonder why...
If there is anything I know about the "coach", it's that He has a Master plan. He is looking not only at the game you are now watching, but all the games that lie ahead, yet to be played. He knows the opponent better than any of us. He knows the time and effort each player has spent preparing. He knows each of our greatest strengths, and also our greatest weaknesses. He has a reason for sitting you on the bench. There is something for you to do there. You may need rest. You may need to recover from the brutal hits you've taken in all the games before this one. He may need you to see something from there that you would have missed out on the field. He doesn't want you to quit training. He needs you to stay prepared! You are His secret weapon for a play-off game that is yet ahead. That's where your area of expertise will be used. He needs you on the sidelines, encouraging other bench warmers in the wait. He needs you there cheering for the weary players that think this quarter will never be over.
Don't give up and quit the team! Stay fit. Stay strong. Be ready to go back in when it really counts. The team is counting on you!
"...Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" ~I Corinth 2:9~
