Get in the Game: Why There Are No Bench Players in the Kingdom of God

Since its humble beginnings 85 years ago, March Madness has continued attracting the attention of college basketball fans nationwide.

In the first round of the women’s tournament this year, South Carolina’s players who were not starters (bench players) scored 66 of the total 108 points to set a record. This is amazing because players from the bench are often supporting players.

As I watch the games every year, I am intrigued by these bench players because that was the position I played in basketball. It isn’t bad if you are the 6th, 7th, or maybe the 8th player, because you were critical to relieving the starters as needed. However, I was 11th or 12th, which meant I didn’t get into the game unless the win was assured!

Practicing Without Playing

Ironically, I still went to every practice session, struggled through every sprint or drill, played in every scrimmage, dressed, and traveled with the team to every game on the bus. I had little to no impact, however, in the season’s outcome. I was seen as a member of the team but only participated in practices with little time in the game.

Bench Players in the Kingdom

As I reflect on this, I see a lot of bench players in the Kingdom of God.

They identify with the team (as Christians), fully participate in the practices and scrimmages (going to weekend services), and may even struggle with the drills or exercises (serving and spiritual disciplines). However, like my years on the bench, they don’t get much time playing on the game floor and have little impact on Kingdom outcomes.

This leads to some people in the church knowing a lot about the game (Christianity) and dress for it every week (worship and equipped) but seldom experience the exhilaration of engaging with people on the game floor.

In other words, these church people fail to experience the presence of Jesus in the context of those who don’t care about Christ. They don’t develop the proficiency to be the love of Jesus with people who literally hate Christians. They don’t take the opportunity to develop the discipline of practicing joy, kindness, or hope with those who serve them as they dine or shop throughout the week.

No Bench in the Body of Christ

As followers of Christ, we are never called to be bench players while the professionals (the starting five) become exhausted on the game floor.

The church is pictured as a body where every part is essential for healthy functioning. The church is not a team where the starters are really good, others are decent support players, and the rest sit on the bench. We are all essential in the Kingdom of God.

Every day as we meet neighbors, colleagues, spouses, acquaintances, service personnel, and strangers we have an opportunity to play the real game of life in a world that is starving for hope and perspective.

There are no bench players in the Kingdom of God. You are either on the floor playing the game or you are not on the team.

Notice Peter tells us that we are always in the game…

Get Off the Bench

I don’t have many fond memories of sitting on the bench in basketball. But I have a lot of great memories of other sports where I was on the field most of the time.

One thing I have loved about moving to Greenville, SC is that I have been able to be “in the game” all the time with all our new friendships and acquaintances.

Get in the game.