Preparation And Playing

I used to play basketball with a guy from Macedonia and a guy from Ecuador. The guy from Macedonia was the best shooter I have ever seen. I have never seen anyone make as many shots as he could--from anywhere on the court. The guy from Ecuador was 6 foot 4 and would have been a good offensive tackle if he was born in the United States. He was just a good and tall athlete.

Now one time, I think it was after exams and Christmas break, we had stopped playing for a few weeks. When we started playing again, they both said that they had gained 20 pounds and hadn't touched a basketball. I had to tell them I was practicing a little here at church and even played with my teenaged cousins back home a few times.

The guy from Macedonia got this wry smile on his face and laughed a little, "That is not practice. I used practice just shooting free-throws an hour every day." The guy from Ecuador just said with typical Latin machismo, "Practice don't make you a player." Needless to say, they beat me pretty bad that day.

So what does this have to do with being a Christian? First, we have to study the Bible rigorously and not haphazardly. This thought occurred to me when we were studying Acts. I didn't and couldn't do well on those tests unless I read and reviewed daily. I couldn't just come in Wednesday and Sunday and know what was going on. Like with basketball, you can't practice Wednesday and Sundays and expect to do well. It takes much more concentrated preparation than that.

This reminds me of Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul describes "the armor of god." Focused preparation and study allows us build and fit a "whole armor" that protects. But armor not only allows for protection. It also allows us to fight, to evangelize, and to venture out to the ends of the world. You can only practice so much before you have to play. My friend from Ecuador was right in the sense that practicing and studying are not complete ends in themselves; they have to lead to a Christian acts and a Christ-like example. They have to lead to evangelism. (Acts 1:8) This was driven home when Brother Worley said his mission at the school of Jos was "to train evangelists, not theologians." And it was what those basketball games with my international friends were really about.

Now at this time, if we haven't been practicing or playing up to our abilities, let us recommit ourselves. If you're not a Christian, isn't it time to get in the "game" and be baptized? If you have any need before the church, please come forward as we sing.