It was a Saturday morning, the sun was shining, and the sky a clear blue. My son was hot and sweaty as he ran up and down the soccer field trying to score goals for his team. It was a holiday weekend and many teammates were gone, leaving my son the only skilled player on the team. I watched him play many of the positions alone while the other kids looked up in the sky, day dreamed, and wandered around as though lost in a fog.
I watched the tears run down his face and my heart ached for him. When he came over for a drink of water, I suggested that he stop playing. Though angry with his teammates and still tearful, he refused to give up. As he ran back out on the field, I realized something about myself.
I am not very brave.
When faced with a barrier or obstacle in my life, I immediately give up and turn back the other way. When the trials of life hunt me down, I cry with the Israelites and say that life was better in Egypt. If the burdens of my life are too heavy, I just sit down, give up, and refuse to take a step further. And when I experience discouragement, I walk off the battlefield rather than fight all the harder.
But what if I didn’t turn away from every obstacle that came my way? How would my life be different if I simply turned the handle on every closed door and walked on right through? How many mountain top views have I missed because of fear that I wouldn’t make it to the top?
The Bible tells me that God can do more than anything I could ask or imagine. Jesus said it only takes a mustard seed sized faith to move a mountain. What if I actually believed God and stepped forward in faith? What if I trusted Him for the outcome rather than on my own potential failures?
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
I have a big game in my own life right now. Some days, I want to just sit on the side lines and watch everyone else play, wishing I were brave enough to join in. Yet, I know God wants me to trust him and believe in the impossible. The very one who created the sun, moon, and stars can handle the weight of my burdens. The One who called everything into being by just the words of His mouth is able do what is impossible for me to accomplish on my own. And He who transformed uneducated fishermen into the first leaders of the church can certainly enable me to do even more than I’ve ever thought I was capable.
I hear him calling me into the game. The timeout is over, it’s time for the final stretches and to tie on my cleats. I say a prayer, placing the game in His hands, as I run right into the middle of the game.
Will I make any goals? Will I fail? Only God knows, but until He calls the game, I will keep playing…
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Linking up with:
Word Filled Wednesday and Intentional.Me
updated from the archives
This is so beautifully written Christina. I can and am taking these lessons for my own self - pushing on and trusting God. I just wrote about it on my blog too earlier today, about being reminded this is the most beautiful stage in life. So refreshing to see it written from a totally different angle, yet somewhat similar concept.
Keep up the faith! In Him, Patty
Thanks! I keep learning what it looks like to walk by faith and not by sight. So glad you stopped by!
What a wonderful reminder! Thanks.
Thanks for visiting!
I’m with you, friend. Even if tears are running down my cheeks. I’ll keep playing.
beautiful post. (and do I ever want to give your son a big hug!)
Playing soccer has really stretched my son in so many ways. And me too:)
Praying for you as you move from the sidelines to the field. You can DO this, sister!
Thanks! You are an inspiration to me:) Blessings!
Hang in there, young mama - 2 Tim 1:7
Thanks, I needed that:) Blessings!
Wow! What a courageous son you have. And I love how God uses our children to teach us things “we” need to know. I think that’s been my experience as well-more times than not, my kids teach me! But I will certainly pray that you’ll feel God strengthening and encouraging your faith. Great thoughts!
I learn so much from my kids! Their perseverance amazes me. Thanks for stopping by!
What a great post…so many lessons here. First…sports can be…they are not always…a great tool of God…so many life lessons learned…perseverance…doing what is right…hard…even if others around you don’t…sports are about “we not me”…I could go on…and so many of these truths learned with physical sweat help us with our spiritual “sweat”.
It is never too late to get in the game…let God teach us to trust Him…to grow through the trials and unknowns…I know my friend that you will go where ever He calls you…lifting a prayer for you now. blessings as we become players that done quit until that last whistle is blown~
Thank you so much! I could really use the prayers:) Yes, I’ve learned a lot through watching my kids play sports. I never played any as a kid so there are new lessons everyday. Blessings!
“…until He calls the game, I will keep playing…”
I love this! I’ve said the same thing, many times, using different words.
Beautiful story with a powerful message! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Joe! I think it’ll be my personal mantra for a while…
Dropping in from Getting Down with Jesus. Enjoyed your beautiful and well written post. We all need to be more brave, and He knows that. It’s why He’s so patient with us. You’ve included so many lessons we all maybe should have learned by now, and yet haven’t. I liked your words, “and until He calls the game, I will keep playing.” To that I say, Amen!
Saying a prayer for strength and perserverence! So glad that we don’t have to rely on ourselves for these, but we have all of these we need with the Spirit living inside. I don’t know all you are facing Christina, but “go get em!” I know He is great in you, your victory is accomplished!
- your friend
It’s so easy to hang out on the side, thinking we can’t finish something laid in our lap/heart. But our Father will always encourage us to take that next step so He can show us the blessed consequences, the growth in our spiritual lives. Your son definitely saw it the best/only way to do the game, even though his heart was sad and the tears were surfacing. He was a good example.
This is a wonderful post and a great metaphor! I have such a tendency to do this, too - run away from the game instead of into it. Thank you so much for being honest and sharing your struggles. It’s very encouraging!
Oh, we learn so much about how to be better through our kids don’t we? What a beautiful example of perservance from your son. And I can relate to all you say here. I think some of it has to do with the stages of life, we shift from Him giving us signs of his providence everywhere as we grow up in faith to risking without road signs. Hope you feel his hand on you as you walk through this new season of challenge.
What a great lesson from your son. People or circumstances can be disappointing or difficult, but God asks us to keep trying, doesn’t he? Thank you for this reminder to be brave.