Are you in position?

Many of us have our sports we follow, and most of us know the rules to at least one team sport!

To play, you have to be in position.

If you are not in the right position to play, you either can’t play – maybe you will be called offside – or you will be utterly innefective. What use is the catcher if he isn’t behind the plate? What use is a pitcher hanging at third base?

Not much use at all. Maybe, in some sports, they can still play – they might see the ball, kick the ball, throw the ball. But that is not what they are there to do, and in reality they are letting their whole team down, because what they are assigned to do is not being done!

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Just yesterday I was walking back from the shops to the car (a profound position I know), and I had this thought – am I in the right place for God to use me?

That is a pretty deep thought for shopping, indeed for life! Now I don’t mean physically where I am – God will use me wherever I am. But mentally and spiritually – am I in a place where God can use me?

What does that mean?

Really, am I focussed on God? Is my heart open to Him? Am I communicating with Him regularly enough that He could actually direct me (ie, reading my Bible and Praying)? Really, is my life in the right place before Him?

It gave me opportunity to reflect on my relationship with God – because that is what it really, is, a relationship.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14
For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body-so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many.  

As part of that relationship, I have been given things to do. I am part of the Body of Christ. If you like, I am part of a team. And if I am not doing what I am called to do, the whole team is let down. If I have decided I am going to be the pitcher, but really I am the catcher, what use am I?

I encourage you, take a little time today (and maybe not just today, but every day), and reflect on your heart position before God. Reflect on what you are open to, and what you are not! Take some time to ask the hard questions – is there anything in my life that is blocking my relationship? Is there anything in my life that is stopping me serving and being effective in my calling? For this you don’t need to know what your calling is, you don’t need to know what God’s will is, you just need to prepare yourself to be ready. Just like the solider before battle – he may not know what will happen that day, he may not even know what direction he will be travelling, or what part he will be playing – he just gets ready to do as he is commanded.

Lord God, help us to be right before You. Help us to see those things in our lives, daily, that affect our relationship with You, and give us the strength to face those things and deal with them. Guide us in Your way, that we will be ready and able to serve when You need us. In Jesus name. Amen.