The World Needs Benchwarmers

A few weeks ago I went to a conference, well it wasn't so much a conference (where you learn new tools) as much as it was an inspirational event (go get 'em team). It was a good event, it just wasn't quite what I expected. I did enjoy the time, I was inspired. A few of the teachers/pastors had some great new insights that I was happy to hear, but one of them really ticked me off.

So this guy is rattling through his Bible quoting this scripture and that scripture and I felt like either he was ADHD or I was becoming ADHD at the frenetic pace that he was traveling back and forth in his Bible. Then, he spoke the sentence that really got under my skin ... he said, "you know, I never understood why there were guys who played sports in high school and practiced with the team and never played in the game. They were happy to sit on the bench ... why did they do that? Why didn't they just quit."

UGH! What a cocky thing to say. O.K. In this character's defense his point was "as Christians we shouldn't just sit on the bench - we need to get out the do it" But I think he chose a REALLY bad analogy. It didn't take long for me to shoot his analogy to pieces ... then in conversation with others they ripped it apart further.

Now, I'm not telling you this to say "this guy is dumb" but to make a point. The world needs benchwarmers.

In high school I was on the football team. I never started a Varsity game, in fact I rarely played in a game. But I think I made valuable contributions to the team. In the cold winter weather I kept the ponchos of the starters warm while they were on the field so they were pre-warmed when they came off the field. During practice, I was the guy willing to stand there with a blocking pad so they had someone to block. When one of the starters got injured, guys like me were there to carry them off the field ... and to take their place when they couldn't play. I'd say the guys on the bench did a lot for the good of the team.

I realize that this guy is trying to make a point ... but it's not a good point. There are plenty of people who were benchwarmers through much of their career who then went on to be great coaches. Maybe they didn't have the greatest talent but they could inspire others to achieve their potential.

I guess my point in all of this is simply that you never quite know how God is going to use you or in what ways God will prepare you for the ministry you are called to. For some of us, being part of the team in high school taught us valuable lessons for the life we are now living. So don't tell me that the world doesn't need benchwarmers otherwise you've just invalidated my entire life.