Given August 13, 2009

I am reminded more and more that, if we choose to be, we are in training for whatever God has planned for us.  Being a former athletic coach and high school player, I think sometimes in athletic terms.  God has a plan for all His creation; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.  We choose to join the team and begin participating in the training with the goal of moving up the depth chart and eventually being on the first team.  I think it’s the same in Christiandom.  We choose to be on the team, (get saved), enter into training, and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ” Phillipians 3:14.  And just as in athletics, at some point we have to be tested to see if we can go on to the next level.  If we pass, we move up; if we don’t pass, we go back to the gym for more work.

I have found that many Christians are content just being on the team; they aren’t interested in going through the training to “move up”.  They don’t want to be tested, they’re content just getting a uniform and sitting in the pew.  Not me!  I ask God to train me and test me so I can move up.  “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” Psalm 26:2.  I know His plan for me is not to be content on 4th string; He wants me on the 1st team and so do I.  But to do that, I have to be periododically tested, tried, proven.  Sometimes I pass but frequently I don’t and have to go back to the gym for more work; the Word, study, prayer, and await the next test.  I’ve come to know now, usually, when I’ve had a test and failed it.  I say, “Oh Lord, I missed that one didn’t I?”  He says, “Yes you did.  Let’s go back to work and we’ll try it again later.”  God, our Coach, is so good!