getNgear

Time to Get in Gear,
by Randall D. Kittle

All the hype over this month’s Super Bowl has me thinking about my Chicago Bears. Ever since I was a little boy I have cheered for the Bears. I remember back when I was in grade school the Bears had two of the greatest football players who ever played. On offense was Gale Sayers, who would gain a hundred yards per game with blocking that was nearly non-existent (even worse than they had this year). In the middle of their defense was Dick Butkus, a middle linebacker who didn’t just tackle the opposition … he destroyed them.

Despite having these two great players, the Bears never won a championship. In fact, they rarely won more than half of their games. You see, Super Bowl champions are not made of a few superstars, but when every position, from the punter to the kick-off returner, is filled with quality players. When there is stiff opposition, only a team that has all of its players engaged and actively involved in doing their best will be able to defeat their opponent and gain the victory.

For many years, the Church has been like that early Chicago Bears football team — a place where a few superstars have gotten all the attention and have had to carry almost all of the burden. Just like in football, spiritual superstars may fill the seats and keep everyone entertained, but it will take all believers being active and involved for the Church to become the overcoming Bride for which the Lord will delight to return.

Time for Engagement While I was driving through a small college town a few years ago, I saw something that reminds me of just how important it is for believers to no longer be spectators who merely watch a few superstars, but those who are actively engaged in advancing God’s kingdom. While waiting for the light to change, I saw a souped-up sports car revving its engine while sitting next to another car at the stoplight. It was an obvious challenge, and you could tell the other car (though not looking its match) was willing and waiting to answer the call. When the light changed, one of the cars took off leaving the other one in its dust. I was surprised, however, to find out that it was the revved up sporty car that was left behind. He had all the muscle to win the race, only because he failed to put his car in gear he was sitting there in neutral. His engine was roaring, but he sat there in neutral going nowhere.

Across the globe, too many believers have been in neutral — revving and roaring their engines but not really going anywhere … not turning power into purpose. Let’s make certain that we aren’t like that. It is a critical time for all of us to “put our transmissions in gear” and become engaged. It is time for the rubber to meet the road — for what we believe and profess to begin to actually determine our actions, our choices, and our priorities. Yes, it time for all of us to be engaged and all of us to do are part to advance God’s kingdom.

The Bible tells you in Philippians 2:12 to “… work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” It is time for you to begin to work out what God has been working into your life. Are you willing to roll up your sleeves, and in answer to God’s call begin doing all He has planned for you in His gameplan? If each of us will choose to actively engage, the power God has placed within us will start to produce the victories He has planned for us to attain.