A couple of decades ago, a Christian high school basketball team out of a town located about an hour northeast of Indianapolis, traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to play in the Christian High School National Invitational. This team was packed with seniors who were future college players. One even went on to play professional ball for years. They captured the national championship that year, led by a coach who is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
The local newspaper devoted almost half a page to the team’s accomplishment. Of course, the article highlighted the high scoring seniors, but a paragraph was devoted to the role played by a 5’ 3” guard who started the season as a point guard and did an effective job getting the ball to the team’s top scorers. As I recall, he was on a pace in the first half to set the school record for assists in the first game of the season. But midway in the second half he sprained his ankle and did not play in the second half. After healing quickly, only missing one game, he returned to the starting lineup. However, his role was changed. The coach explained that this was because the off guard was a senior and scouts were coming to games to see him play, so he would switch positions with the player returning from injury. The coach explained that the off guard would have to play point in college, being 6’ 2” tall, so he had to showcase his abilities. The 5’3’ player, a junior, accepted his new role and performed well, meeting the expectations of the coach. Let me get back to the national championship tournament and the report in the local newspaper.
The coach said in an interview with the newspaper reporter, (Note that I will leave out names and just use ‘Player A’ for the taller guard and ‘Player B’ for the shorter guard.); the coach said. “With ‘Player A” playing the point, ‘Player B’s” role changed. I know he is a true point guard, but ‘Player B’ is another one who sacrificed his game for the benefit of the team. He just wanted to win. I had a little guy like him setting screens on the big guys that were guarding our center and forwards. ‘Player B’ was willing to give up his body and little things like that make teams winners. Player B’ accepted his role well.”
‘Player B’ was quoted in the article, “It was alright to help other people score, like the star forward and star center. It was real fun to play at the nationals and meet some teams that you have never seen before.”
There were more references to ‘Player B’ in the article, but I don’t want you to think this meditation is merely sports related. There is something for YOU today as you enter the Lord’s house for worship, not forsaking the assembly of the saints. What might that be? Look at the title again, “Perform Your Role.”
You may not be the speaker who draws the most attention, but you can perform your role and show your agreement with the preached word by saying, “Amen,” loud enough to be heard throughout the sanctuary. You may be in the choir and what use to be “your song” is being sung by someone else this Sunday. Well, you sing your assigned part in harmony with the choir. If you are not in the choir, lift your voice from the pews in the sanctuary! Perform your role! You may not be the one who is honored if it is a special day, but cheerfully you can give honor to whom honor is due! Perform your role! You may not be asked to pray aloud, but you can pray silently, knowing that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. Perform your role! Your tithe and offerings envelope may no longer be as great as it once was but give the best of your treasures. Perform your role!
Why am I focusing on performing your role this morning? I’ll tell you! When you do, the team, and “the team” being the church, it will “win” and many will benefit, including you, when you perform your role.
I have said enough, right? But along with being “enough,” I hope what you have been reading has been edifying and ends up changing your role for the better in service today. Be blessed!
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.” (I Chronicles 16:23-31 NKJV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
My role is definitely changing. Yet I am still on a winning team, the church. So much goes into being a part of the team and so many valuable players make the team better.
If we all play our roles as the body of Christ, the church will be better. Check out my words by looking at I Corinthians 12.