Arms Wide Open

I once heard former NFL linebacker Chris Spielman tell a story about his first NFL camp experience. He was on the field for his first set of downs on defense and as he puts it, “getting blasted by the running backs”. They were basically running him over when he was attempting to tackle them. When he came off the field, he was telling the coach “I can’t get there quick enough…I got caught in the blocks….I couldn’t get a read on the play”. Finally the coach stopped him and said “What? I cannot hear you because your actions are speaking so loud“.

He said he when he went back into the game, he hit that running back so hard that he wonders if the guy is still feeling it.

I thought of that story today and how it relates to lay ministry. I wonder if sometimes we get so busy “doing” ministry for God and the church that our actions are so loud we stop hearing from God. I think it is a very real possibility that I can get so wrapped up in an area of ministry that might not be where God has called me. There might have been a time for that ministry, but the season has passed and God is calling me to something else. Yet I am so busy doing, talking, making excuses and complaining….that my actions are so loud I can’t hear Him.

I wonder if it isn’t worth the time to step off of the field and take a few plays off. I think there is value in having our “coach” really let us know where we are supposed to be and remind us of our area of giftedness. It is then that we can return to the game and make effective plays to advance the team. It is then when our actions can match our words.