Spiritual Growth – Ephesians 4:22-24, “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
If I’m in the game I am consciously working on developing my spiritual life through studying the Word, reading spiritually challenging books, listening to messages other than Sunday services and involved in accountability/discipleship with another person or small group. If I’m on the bench I attend church fairly regularly, read Christian books occasionally and attend a small group when it’s convenient. If I’m in the stands I tell myself I don’t have to be a fanatic about my Christian life so I attend church sporadically, have never read a Christian book all the way through and plan to start attending a small group next year.
Possessions/Finances – II Corinthians 9:7, 8, “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”
If I’m in the game all I have belongs to the Lord and I’m willing to use it, share it and give it to whomever and for whatever He directs. If I’m on the bench I will give the Lord what I think is His portion (usually less than 5%) and use and spend the rest as I see fit. If I’m in the stands I promise to do more with what the Lord has given me and actually start giving financially to His work as soon as I have a little bit more.
Heart – Psalm 42:1, 2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?”
If I’m in the game I desire to get closer to the Lord because I want to know Him better. If I’m on the bench I desire to get closer to the Lord because I think then He will bless me more and give me more of what I ask for. If I’m in the stands I’m fine with my relationship with Him and don’t feel a need to truly know Him any better than I already do.
Relationships – Philippians 2:3, 4 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
If I’m in the game I am consistently looking for ways to improve how I relate to others, thinking of their needs, interests and desires and striving to find ways to adjust my life to accommodate them. If I’m on the bench I will change those things that cause big problems with others but the “smaller” things I give my self a pass on. If I’m in the stands I figure any problems I might have with others is really their problem and it’s something they need to deal with.
Am I in the game, on the bench or in the stands in my life with the Lord? For me these thoughts have been extremely challenging as I have paused and reflected on them!
That’s what’s been on my heart this week.
Mark
