February 16, 2009 - Oh yeah, it's on!

It is one thing to be in the game; it is another thing to be a difference maker! I have seen many players that you can rely on to go in the game and not commit turnovers, maybe hit an occasional shot, and not get out of position defensively. Yet these same players are boring to watch and truly do not have much impact on the game.

When a player steps on the floor he goes with basically one of three mindsets:
1. “Oh no, what am I doing here?”
2. “Ok, just don’t mess up.”
3. “Oh yeah, it’s on!”

The first player is going to be one mistake after another. He is not confident of his skills. He has probably not put in enough quality practice time.

The second player is more confident with his skills, yet he is still not ready to make a difference. This player has not come up with a game plan to help his team. He simply wants to avoid hurting his team. There may have been quality practice time, but definitely not quality preparation time.

The third player is ready to give quality playing time because he has put in quality practice time and quality preparation time. This player has envisioned how he can help his team – he has a plan. (He may even make a few more mistakes than player 2 because of his aggression; but he will more than make up for it with production.)

Recently my son had a horrible shooting game. Basically he couldn’t throw it in the ocean. Yet the quarter I was disappointed with was the 1st quarter of the game when he played passive and didn’t shoot the ball. He had practiced hard and even went through some good preparation for the game. Yet he went out passive to begin.

There is an old saying I like: You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

How about you Christian? Are you “playing the game” aggressively? Or are you just trying to make sure you don’t mess up?

I think far too often we concentrate on ourselves and ignore a directive from the Lord to “go forth.” His game plan is for us to be moving forward – aggressive.

I know it is popular in Christian circles to take the easy approach and say “I’m just going to live a good life and let that do my witnessing.” That is hogwash! We need to have an active, intentional approach to ministry. Souls cannot be saved by just seeing you “not make mistakes.” Souls are saved due to a proclamation of the Gospel. Lives are touched by actually serving (not just praying for or giving some money to.)

The Lord wants you to have quality playing time in the game of life. That involves not just the practice of learning at church but also the quality preparation of coming up with an intentional game plan and executing it.

Quality Practice Time + Quality Preparation Time + Quality Playing Time

23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14)

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21)

What is your “game plan” for today? For this week? Who are you going to reach out to?

Be intentional! Be deliberate! Be a difference maker! Step onto the court of life today and say, “Oh yeah, it’s on!”