In high school, I was a third-string bench-warmer on the Basketball C-Team. I was keenly aware of the importance of teamwork and scoring. So, when I had that orangish-orb in my possession, I was continually faced with the decision: Dribble, shoot or pass.
From my extensive experience as a basketball guy—“Hey, Sitze! Thirty seconds to go in the game. Get in there and make something happen…”—I remember how heavily the dribble/shoot/pass choice weighed on me. I certainly knew where the basket was, and I had practiced how to loft the ball through the hoop. But what I didn’t have was high confidence about my shooting skills as compared to my teammates. After all, they might be closer to the basket or “open” (basketball-guy lingo for “I have a clear shot”). They seemed more assured that their layups, jump shots or air hooks could score the points we needed. Considering those factors in my decision-making process, I usually passed.
At this time in life, I might be in the same situation. What’s similar to those C-Team days? The possibility that others are in a better position to effect change, inspire actions, lead programs or contribute what’s most needed. I am fully aware of my still-useful assets and abilities, of course—even those that might be waning. But it may make sense—for some kinds of “winning”—that I also recognize those who are in a better position to bring about the good that we all sorely want to happen in God’s world.
Whether dribbling, passing or scoring points, I’m glad to be part of God’s people—a team that makes possible God’s greater good. And God’s work gets done as well as it deserves!
There’s still plenty of time left in the game for this to happen….
