Elevating My Role

I have always been a fan of sports. One of my favorite sports, is basketball. Every team sport, thinks it is the ultimate team sport. I won't make the case for basketball being the ultimate team sport...But I believe I can unequivocally say, basketball is the ultimate role player sport. Unlike football, you see bench players consistently rising above their supposed ability.

Of course you have your super stars, the Michael Jordans and Lebron James's of the world (you can mention both guys without debating who is better). But behind Michael Jordan, there was a Steve Kerr. Behind LeBron James you had Mike Miller and Shane Battier. Shaq and Kobe had Robert Horry...Speaking of Horry he also hit major shots for Hakeem and Tim Duncan.

Its hard for me as a basketball fan to see myself doing the things that LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Hakeem, or any superstar is able to do with ease on the court. However, I've always been able to relate to Steve Kerr or Robert Horry. At least the mystique of them. The guy who comes off the bench or somehow gets the last shot and buries it. I can't dunk from the free throw line or at all, but I can make a random three pointer.

I write this to say that despite my lack of confidence in being a star, at one point in my church role...I felt like one. In church, I came out of nowhere in a sense. I had never had a church role before. I found myself doing things to help. I found a pastor willing to give me more responsibility. Eventually, I was elevated to Armor Bearer.

I loved it. I felt important and empowered. I felt like I got to see a behind the scenes look. But, eventually...I felt things dwindle. Not anything that anyone done or said...But, I mentally dwindled. The difference between a star and a role player isn't always talent. Sometimes it's the mental game.

Eventually, I felt like more of a star by title, rather than performance. Probably how Patrick Ewing felt on the Sonics or Hakeem with the Raptors...I looked like me, but something didn't feel right.

Once we moved here to Montgomery. I felt like a new church, would bring back that original feeling. The feeling of importance would rejuvenate me. At first, I had hope. There were talks and plans...Things I got excited about.

But, things didn't go through how I thought they would. I started longing for the past, instead of embracing the challenge of my future. The feeling of falling out of place took over. I didn't feel like a star anymore and could no longer relate to Steve Kerr.

If I had to pinpoint one basketball player to say I feel like...Maybe Greg Oden (specifically the Miami Heat Version). All the potential in the world, but broken (in his case physically, mine of course mentally).

So here I am...Now on the bench. I would say I am waiting for my opportunity, like a hungry rookie. But, that's not true. If these last few months have taught me anything. Its that I haven't been waiting for my opportunity, but rather letting it pass me by. Getting comfortable with my bench seat.

However, the main difference between God and basketball. God doesn't have a shelf life, Michael Jordan retired, God didn't. God isn't a coach that kicks you off the team. He is the coach that, tells you not to lose confidence. To believe.

Although, I have gotten comfortable on the bench. God has a beautiful way of tugging at you and pulling you from the darkness and giving you a chance to reignite. Lately, I've been feeling that tug, feeling that fire. I write this to declare, that whatever my role is with the Lord. I'm ready to walk in it.