from Ron Rose
October 20, 2008

Preparation

I believe we all have a place in God’s game plan for the kingdom.

In preparation for a men’s gathering focusing on organizing a personal faith game plans for 2009, I did a faith audit of my own. I have been too passive, too cautious, and too reactionary; too focused on my own strengths and skills. God did not call me or you to simply react to what life deals out, his game plan for our lives is not defensive, even the “gates of Hell will not prevail against” his plan. 2009 is our year to take action; to play the game… our future depends on it.

In the fall, as a kid, I lived for Sunday afternoons in Pinole. From the time one of our group could drive, we would pull up around 2:00 pm at the city park in Pinole, California, to play our own brand of weekend football. Rain or shine we didn’t come to practice, we came to play.

For years we owned that little park in Pinole. It was our time. In fact, the best games were played in the mud. There were few rules and no ref, only eight to ten eager friends who dreamed of being football “wannabe’s.”

This was not a league; there were no coaches, no assigned positions, no game plans, and no uniforms. We simply divided up and played the game. Everybody got to be a star, or at least everybody got to try. On those rare occasions when a team clicked and players played beyond themselves the stories were told and retold. Those Sunday’s become chapters in our living legends.

I loved those times; I dreamed of being a star and that was as close to reality as I ever got. We got to do it all; so, I’ve thrown that deep touchdown pass, made the impossible catch, and I’ve run between defenders making the touchdown no one expected. The legend has grown.

There was no game plan; for us each play was a potential game winner. We were individuals playing by the seat of our pants, with no thought of a game plan or winning strategy. Only on a few occasions did we even play as a team. The game was about making the plays, being the star.

A real football team needs a coach, a person with a plan. This guy gets to know the players, he sees their strengths, remembers their past, understands their attitudes and struggles, and can convince each player that he is a vital part of the plan.

We call this guy, coach. For each game he designs a game plan that builds on his players’ strengths and the other team’s weaknesses. Then, as the game progresses the coach makes adjustments, adds refinements, and pulls a few surprises.

The game plan is the hidden secret to authentic synergy. God has a game plan for our faith, and when we work the plan we too become greater than the sum of our parts. That takes faith, real world faith.

Inspiration

Our dorm team had never done well in college football intramurals. The other dorms and social clubs always seemed to have bigger players, stronger arms, and quicker running backs. Our players were good, but nothing special. We loved to play, but hated that hopeless useless feeling that was draining all the fun out of our games. “We would never be good enough to win,” we feared.

Then, Jim showed up. He had been little All-American in basketball for the college, but now was in graduate school. He brought hope to our struggling football team. His greatest contribution was not his athleticism or his quarterbacking skills; his best gift to us was his ability to read us, to see our strengths, and to design a game plan that included everyone and kindled our hope.

I didn’t know how to take it at first. I had been a wide receiver and second-quarterback for the first 5 games, but Jim had a plan that moved me out of the big play position and I upset and angry.

At practice he took me aside and said, “I want you to be my safety valve, OK? On every passing play, regardless of what else is called, line up as a tight end. Then at the snap take off, count to three, stop, and hook left, be ready for the ball, I will have already thrown it.”

That safety valve play never scored a touchdown, but it helped us get a ton of first downs and gain enough wins to capture the championship that year.

He knew our strengths, how to motivate us, and how to push us into new positions. We won that year, because we learned to trust Jim, to play like a team, and work the game plan.

Motivation

Are you playing a fantasy game focused on being the star, the playmaker? Get over it; you are in a spiritual game, a life-event, far bigger than you, regardless of your experience or level of skills.

Being a winner in the Kingdom of God doesn’t happen because of our skills, our timing, or our planning. Winning in his kingdom only comes when we trust him, play like a team, and follow his game plan.

God knows your strengths and your weaknesses; he will use both. His plan is to win and in the process give you hope and a rekindled faith.

God may be pulling you out of your comfort zone, because he needs you on a timing pattern. Remember you are part of a team, God’s team, and he is the one to trust. He has the game plan.

I think God has something he wants you to know; He wants to talk to today.

Keep your eyes open and be ready for new assignments, new positions, and new opportunities. Turn around now, the ball has already been thrown.