When I was younger I was not an athlete but I did give a few sports a try. I ran track but I was not the fastest. In fact, I spent more time watching races than running them. I even tried out for the basketball team when I was in middle school (yes, it was invented by then). It was a small school and since I could dribble the ball and run at the same time…I actually made the team. Of course, it was to my advantage that most 12 year old boys had not started their growth spurts yet. I wasn’t very good and, like my experience in track, spent most of the season making sure the bench on the sideline stayed in place. But… I got a uniform, I was assigned a position and I was in the team photo that season. I was on the team.
I learned many valuable lessons from my illustrious sports career on the bench. I learned how important it is to cheer on those who are out there playing the game. I also learned how important it is to be ready to go into the game when the coach called. The coach would occasionally come to me during the game and say, “Bradley, get ready, I’m sending you in soon” (I did get to play occasionally). My heart would begin racing and I would take off my warm up suit, begin to stretch and, most importantly, I would keep my eye on the coach for his signal to go in. I was ready. I can still remember the intensity of those moments. It was exhilarating.
These lessons from middle school often come to mind when I hear Jesus say, “be ready” or “watch and pray” or “be alert”. I believe He was letting the disciples know that He was going to be sending them into the game. “Get prepared and watch me for the signal.” The writer of Hebrews also uses a race to describe our Christian journey and the importance of keeping our eyes on the coach:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter [coach] of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1,2)
So, lesson one…keep your eyes on the coach. He is going to put you in today. Watch for His signal. Get ready. It could be anything! But… if you are keeping your eyes on Jesus…you won’t miss it.