Monday, March 17, 2014

March 17, 2014 - Impact Players

This past week we were blessed to be part of a missions conference called a GIC (Global Impact Celebration.) We heard from missionaries from all around the world about the incredible things God is doing in their midst (and was able to share some from the amazing InBounds Ministries story He has put us in.) And each story seemed to revolve around some key “impact players.”

When I say “impact player” what comes to your mind? Being that it is March Madness time the typical thought is about the big time scorers and/or the highlight-reel guys. And let’s be honest, when we talk about impact on the crowd a soaring slam dunk or a deep three gets everyone going. And those things do have a huge effect on emotions and can help swing momentum. Yet there are often times “impact players” that go under the radar. These are not the players that necessarily wind up on ESPN Top 10; but instead those that alter the game in ways that the typical fan does not see. This might be the point guard that controls tempo to the point that the other team never gets into their rhythm; it may be the player that quietly shuts down passing lanes so the other team can’t get in their best scoring position; it may be the player that boxes out the opposing team’s best rebounder which allows one of his teammates to grab more boards… I think you get the point. There is much that takes place in a game that as a coach I would consider “impact” that reading the box score may not reflect or that the commentator may not mention…

Well when I mention “impact players” as far as missions are concerned the natural thought is that I am speaking of the missionaries. Although I agree that the missionaries are “impact players,” that is not what caught my attention this week… It seemed that there were always “players” mentioned that were behind the scenes instead of on the frontline… the prayer warriors and suppliers… those that enable missions to take place.

One story that stood out was of a Christian school teacher that decided to pray for her brother and for an unreached people group he was working with; she then began mobilizing other prayer warriors and churches for this people group; and eventually we see the fruit of multiple churches serving that people group… That gal was an “impact player.”

I also thought of the little girls that gave our missions pastor their birthday money and a jar of pennies to help in Haiti… they are “impact players.”

The reality for those that want to Go MAD (Make A Difference): missions begins on our knees at a church altar or on our bedroom floor or right where you are reading this… and extends to the ends of the earth (and covers everything in between.) We are all called to and equipped to be “impact players”! Missions is a surrendered heart attitude that says, “I want to be used right where I am at and anywhere You want me to go God! I’ll pray! I’ll give! I’ll work!”

Are you walking in the good works God has prepared for you? (Eph 2:10)
Are you being “Salt and Light” in your workplace, school, home, neighborhood? (Mt 5:13-16)


"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." Teddy Roosevelt

No comments: