Imagine with me for a minute… it’s the 9th inning of a do-or-die Major League Baseball playoff game. You’re warming up in the on-deck circle; stretching, jumping around to get the blood flowing, and swinging a bat for all it’s worth. You are hyped and ready to go. There are already runners at first and second, when the batter just ahead of you smacks a single, the runners advance, and holy-moly, the bases are loaded and it’s your turn! This is your moment… you’ve trained and prepared for this, you have the skills, you’ve studied the pitcher, you know what to look for. You are ready. But instead of walking to the batter’s box, you turn and walk to the bench. “I think I’ll sit this one out, Coach,” you say. “Somebody else can take my turn.”

It’s a far-fetched scenario, I’ll admit. IF we’re just talking baseball. But, when it comes to other things in life, it might not be as much of a stretch as you think. Every day, we are gifted with opportunities to step into moments where we can make an impact on the life of someone else – perhaps the kind of impact that changes their eternity. But far too often, we forfeit the opportunity.

As part of Jesus’ ekklesia, you are on the team. You have a role to play. Are you gonna sit on the bench or will you step up and swing?