Cheerleader, Coach, or on the Front Line

This week, watching my hometown team, the New Orleans Saints, win their division title, I once again began to ponder a question. Where am I in this game of life? Am I on the front lines, pressing through the enemy's defense. Or am I a cheerleader, supporting my team? Or am I a coach - teaching and equipping my players to do battle?

This past Christmas season, I read a book called "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's about a young girl (Taylor) venturing out from her home state of Kentucky and landing in Tucson, Arizona. One of the lines in the book is from Taylor's friend and mentor. She says to Taylor, "Some folks are the heroes and take the risks, and other folks do what they can from behind the scenes."

A couple of years ago, as I was teaching a group of high school girls, God revealed something to me that I shared with them. Like many, I've always felt I should probably go overseas to share the gospel. Physical and financial limitations, and just the plain circumstances of life, kept this from ever happening. What God revealed to me so very sweetly one day was that I was not to be the one fighting on the front line. I was to be one equipping the saints to go fight. In gratitude and relief, I have been submitting to the purpose God has given me.

Oswald Chambers, in today's devotion (My Utmost for His Highest) puts it this way - "Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we do not take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, he would look after all other things." Mathew 6:30

Consider the situation in Haiti. Many people have an ache in their heart. They want to do something. But, consider this. God has prepared so many people for just this situation. The experts are there. Do they need more people, many of whom may not have the skills needed and may just get in the way? Do they need more resources? Do they need your prayers? I submit to you that the most powerful thing you can do is pray. And, then if God lays it on your heart, send some of the resources He has entrusted in You. And if you are equipped and skilled, then go.

Cheerleader, Coach, or on the Front Line. Each has it's purpose. Each is important to God. Let us find our place, and then dig our roots deep and become the best we can be. For His Glory.