I was sitting watching the football on the TV during a very rare night off and as the camera panned round to the dugout, there sat members of the coaching staff, management, medical team and substitute players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commentator singled out one of the players (whose name is irrelevant to this story), and said, \u201cSurely he\u2019s not happy just sitting on the bench\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This took me back to my football playing days\u2026yes, I can remember back that far\u2026when at the age of 14 I was selected to train with my hometown club, Leicester City, in its youth set-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was great because instead of double maths on a Monday afternoon, I was kicking a ball around with the likes of Gary Lineker, who you may have heard of!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, after several missed maths lessons, I was selected in the squad to play against the youth team from Bristol City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the starting eleven were named and published I found that I was a substitute and therefore confined to the bench until such time as it was deemed necessary for me to show off my skills!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, I was delighted even just to make the bench!<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, as the match progressed it was apparent that I was not going to get a \u2018run out\u2019, and I grew more and more frustrated at my lack of playing time. After all, I had trained (and missed my maths) for several months\u2026for what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n So as I sat there watching the match with my small beer and packet of chicken flavoured crisps, it got me thinking\u2026are we as Christian men happy to just sit on the bench?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or do we yearn for the thrill of the game where we can use those skills and gifts which we have so been graciously given by God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know about you fellas, but I want to be out on that field and I want much more than that too; I want to score that goal which wins!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you happy just to sit on the bench and watch your team-mates, or do you want to join them and get stuck in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know what I\u2019d rather do\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo by Amine Rock Hoovr<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n