"Playing or Watching?"

 

“Playing or Watching?”

 

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Yankee managers Casey Stengel and Ralph Houk would sometimes have veterans change positions to make way for upcoming younger players. Such was the case with Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. For about three seasons (1960-1962) he often played in left field—I saw him there in a game at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1962—which led to one of his famous quotes. Left field was difficult to play in the daytime hours in the old Yankee Stadium because the sun came over the stands in such a way that it was hard to see the ball which prompted Yogi to observe, “It gets late early out there!” During another spring training the Yankees tried him out at third base. When a sportswriter asked him how he liked his new position Yogi reportedly replied, “Playing third ain’t so bad if they don’t hit nuttin’ to you!” (I could list a lot more “Yogiisms” but that’s for another time.)

As I recalled this bit of “Berra wisdom” I began thinking about how a baseball player may sit on the bench or stand on the field for an inning or two without touching the ball and feel he’s made a contribution to the team while all he’s done is occupy space. We might look at our Christian life in such a way. We may feel we’ve fulfilled our responsibility to God by showing up and sitting in a pew and that’s that! So are we playing (i.e. living) out our faith or just watching as a spectator? Which does God desire and expect of us?

From my reading and understanding of Scripture I see He wants you and me to be actively engaged in serving Him and those around us with our best Spirit-directed efforts. Let Him speak:

*”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

*”Serve wholeheartedly….” (Ephesians 6:7).

*”Serve the Lord with gladness….” (Psalm 100:2).

*”Each one should use whatever gift (he or she) has received to serve others….” (1 Peter 4:10).

*”…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13).

Baseball, football, etc. are spectator sports in which fans watch gifted athletes demonstrate their skills. Not so with Christian faith—it’s a “participation sport” in which all are given something to do (note “Each one” in 1 Peter 4:10 above). So I need to ask: Am I playing in the game or merely watching others from the bench?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan