Play to WIN! -- Playing the Game of Life

Sunday, September 12, 2010
Read Colossians 3:23
By Nichole Boggs

“Ok kids, it’s time to go out and play!”
“Play ball!”
“She will be performing in a play next Thursday evening.”

The word “play” can be used in different ways, meaning different things. But, one thing about playing is it will always involve some kind of activity, it will require energy, motivation, and discipline.

As a senior in high school I was given an opportunity to switch from playing second base in softball to shortstop. In my mind, shortstop was the ultimate achievement. During practice that day I found myself making as many errors as I was clean catches. The coach pulled me to the side and told me that she thought maybe it was too much for me and she would be putting me back on second base. With tears running down my face I agreed. I was so disappointed! Out I went to play second once again and the coach hit me 10 ground balls, one after the other. Do you know how many I missed? None! Now why couldn’t I do that at shortstop? I don’t know. But, for some reason I could play well at second base, and that would enable our team the best opportunity to winning some ball games.

Where has God called you to play? Are you struggling in the place you are at? Are you trying with all your might to do something in your own strength that God has not asked you to do? Do you find yourself in a place not suited for you, and because of pride, like in my case, you choose to stay?

Or, are you playing anywhere? At home, church, the workplace? Are we intentionally playing for God’s team? Are we purposefully playing for the advancement of the Kingdom? As I read the verse above I found it interesting the verses prior to that verse spoke to wives, husbands, children, and bondservants. That covers all of us. We must play in these areas to win if we are to win people to Christ. Let’s play to win with all of our heart, as unto the Lord!