Have more Christ in you to push forward

Jim Honeycutt

Chaplain-Baptist Minister

Make me passionate and wholehearted to fulfill your every wish, so that I’ll never have to be ashamed of myself.” Psalms 119:80 

They called him Rah-rah, for he walked the football sidelines cheering his teammates on the field.

Rah-rah followed each and every play closely, never missing an opportunity to encourage his friends. Even when the plays weren’t successful, he was undeterred in his support. Applause became harder, excitement grew more grandiose, shouts became louder, jumps became more emphatic.

It really was a sight to see. I think if he could have willed the players down the field, they would have scored every time they touched the ball. But alas, he didn’t see much action in the games, for his passion didn’t manifest in ways the coaches could harness on the field.

Yet, he was involved in every play, not missing one snap of the ball, not one opportunity to shout encouragement, not one chance to pat his teammates on the back. And even though most games his uniform remained unsoiled his voice would be hoarse by the clock’s end.

As a high schooler I would watch him week after week at the football games and wonder why he would spend so much energy without a down to show for it. Why he would bust his tail day after day in practice, learning the plays, sweating in buckets, exhausting his muscles, just to stand on the sidelines?

Something inside propelled him forward, a determination to continue regardless of the circumstances. And I will be honest with you, of all the incredible high school football players from Mart, Texas I have known in my lifetime, he stands out. He might not have had the talent so many Panthers have displayed. He might not of had the notoriety of going on to college then the NFL. Yet he is in my Hall of Honor as an example of grit and perseverance.

I had a man tell me recently, when we in our hearts compare ourselves to others, we miss the fullness of grace that Christ invites us to share. Rather than whining to the coaches about not enough playing time or complaining to his parents about being treated unfairly, Rah-rah took what he had, what he knew how to do and gave it all away, leaving each game having done what he was purposed to do. I can’t remember a more passionate, encouraging player than Rah-rah, and in my maturity I not only respect him, I admire him. 

While others were content to sit in the stands observing, he put his feet on the soil of play. Participating in the game by his presence, focus, support. 

I want to have that attitude in my Christian walk. Though I might not be the best writer. I might not be the most eloquent poet. I may and often do fumble my words. Yet, I want to stand on the field of play giving encouragement to those living their lives according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to shout and give reason to those that don’t know Christ personally to taste of the goodness of The Lord. I want to be prepared by study and practice, using the Holy Bible as my play book. And even though mercy affords my place on the team, I want to be proven worthy of the call.

That is why even though there are times I feel hypocritical for speaking truths that I stumble over, I push myself forward by His Spirit, trusting His purpose will rectify my missteps. I cling to the Scripture as historical proof that others have walked this path, stumbled, gotten up and continued in the game. But our lives are not a game. They are a gift from Almighty God. A gift that we can open and use to its fullness. A gift that invites us to participate in Christ’s victorious celebration. We as believers in Christ are not called to be just observers, we are called by design to be participants in the process.

You might not be the most confident presenter of the Gospel, yet you have talents given to build up the team. And when you fail to participate the play is affected. If you find yourself just sitting in the stands observing, you will notice the noise of the crowd can be very distracting. Get out of the stands, tighten up your cleats and put your feet on the soil of play. Your time to go into the game is now.

All who are called according to the purpose and will of The Creator are required to suit up in the uniform of Christ, regardless of their position or abilities. What football player suits up just to go sit in the stands? Rah-rah didn’t, neither should you.