Stay in the Game!

Have you ever found yourself thinking about the size of the playing field you find yourself in, and the quality of the other players around you? At every turn there are experts and persons already established as MVPs.  There are champions and league leaders and people still very much at the height of their game. There are coaches and managers and other great players waiting their turn.  And as a rookie you find yourself wondering if you'll ever make the grade; if you will ever find a place to shine? It's a great, big intimidating world out there, and if you don't have great, big goals and a great, big heart to match you could easily get side-lined.

The truth is, everybody's got big dreams...or at least most of us do. Everybody wants to make it to the top of their career or find their mission in life; everybody wants something to turn to as the defining moment of their lives. Yes, everybody wants to make it big.... but you've got to hold your own. For sure, every human being has a right to dream their own dreams. Every human being was born with a mission to accomplish and never before have people been so attuned to accomplishing what is possible in their own lives. And that's good. The sad reality though is that while it is possible for us all to achieve some measure of success, not everyone will believe enough or desire enough to remain faithful when the rewards are small. Too many are all too ready to give in when the tide gets high, when the promised results are not immediately forthcoming. You've got to stay in the game.

You've got to learn to become comfortable, for the time being, as the one who passes the ball to the scorer. The one who plays the defensive line to support the ones at the front  of the game. As players in this game called life, we've got to learn to be ok to not be in the limelight; to use these long days of oblivion to sharpen our skills and deepen our interests; to become intentional about our growth; to set goals and create habits that make for success. We must learn to value the preparation time, for it is of infinitely more worth than the time of reward.

It is this time of apparent 'nothingness' that teaches us patience. It is this moment that refines our craft and make us tolerant of our own mistakes; it is this period of waiting that must be grasped as necessary in our experience and held with both hands. Yes, the playing field may be crowded, as yes, you may be that you've been in the wings for what seems like forever but be faithful to your own dreams and desires. But grow while you wait. Be intentional and spend the time perfecting your craft; work on you. Build the relationships you will need to support you when you get there, master the communication skills necessary to keep you there. Continue to play ball while no-one is watching. Stay n the game!