First String Second String

"Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him." (Matthew 4:11)

It's happened even with me. I've shown up in church and there's a substitute preaching for the pastor and there's a let down (the air goes out of my balloon).

It's like when you go to a baseball game and you sit down in the stands and look up at the lineup on the scoreboard for the game - and you find out the best (your favorite) player has the day off. (Bummer.)

And let me go even further: It's like when you go to a party and your "clique" isn't there - the people you enjoy being around - and it's just not the same. "Why did I even come?"

But even Jesus (the First String of all first stringers) was ministered to by the angels (the second string). In God's economy the second string is the first string.

And just when you don't think it is (the first string), He'll (God'll) use it (the "second string") to try to get through to you. Mark my words.

Don't close your heart just because you think it's the second string whose playing the game (in the pulpit or wherever). That's when Jesus many times shows up in power.

After all, "'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?'" (John 1:46)

You might also be interested in:

• Chosen (A Dream Come True)
• The Perfect Game

Chosen (A Dream Come True)

I was twelve going on thirteen. It was the night of the Little League draft. And all I can remember is how bad I wanted to get on the Padres baseball team. Anything less would just not do. Anything less would be a heartbreak. But I really didn't have much of a chance (in my mind). There were too many other players better than me (I thought). I waited for the phone call to find out. Would I be chosen by the team I wanted or by another? An hour went by. And a second hour. The call didn't come. So I went to bed. The next thing I remember is being suddenly awakened. It was my dad. He was shaking me. He was saying, "Michael, Michael!" (I was in a fog.) "You got picked! You got picked by the Padres!" It was a dream come true. Wow.

Similarly, we've been "chosen" by God who believe in His Son. (John 6:44) We've been "awakened" to a relationship with the living Christ. We've been "picked" by Him (literally). He made the "call" and we are His. (Mark 3:13) It was His "choice." (1 Peter 2:9) It was (is) His desire and design for the saints. (Romans 8:29-30) Truth be told, it's really the team I always wanted to be on. \o/

The Perfect Game

I was the 2nd baseman on a baseball team called the "Orioles" for three years in Little League Seniors. The last two years we won the championship and missed going undefeated by one game (17-1) in year 3. (God had to keep us humble?!) Probably the most significant memory for me (beyond these) was the "perfect game" my friend pitched. 7 innings, 21 outs, no runs and no hits. What made it even more significant was moi (pronounced "mu-ah") had to make five different plays on balls hit to him to help secure the feat. One of the plays was on a short liner just over my head into right field. Without thinking I had to scramble with my back to the infield and catch it over my shoulder while diving to the grass. That's how close we came to losing the perfect game. Now what if I'd rather have been playing shortstop or catcher or left field instead of where I was meant to be? Let's just say I had gotten caught up in another position instead of my own. After all, it was so much more glamorous to be somebody else on the field as opposed to what I was doing and was best equipped for and the boring place between 1st and 2nd. And it's not like anyone else couldn't have made those plays and that catch over the shoulder. But it was designed for me. It was meant for me. I was the one chosen by the manager and coaches to be there that day for whatever was to take place. And just maybe that perfect game would never have happened if I was somewhere else. Quit trying to play a different position in the Body of Christ other than your own. And quit dreaming, "If only I were so-and-so or him or her or over there or doing that." God didn't need you there or need another him or her. He needed you. He crafted you to play 2nd base (or wherever you happen to be playing). Now get back out on the field and make that catch. It's yours to make. And you'll make it. "I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) It's always a perfect game when you're playing your position. \0/