Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday August 9, 2010

For the last several years the word "change" has been on the minds of many people and many are disappointed for many if not most are not satisfied with the change. That's risk, change may not always be for the better. Commenting on the importance of change Coach John Wooden said:

"Although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress. I think young people want to be different, but being different doesn't necessarily mean progress. As a rule, youth have lots of ideas, but they want to make too many changes. When we get older, however, we tend to become content with the status quo and we forget that there is no progress without change."

Coach continues with the many changes he made on his championship teams over the years, based on particular talents of the players he had at the time. He knew that he could not organize and use the talented player he wished for; he had to get the maximum benefit from the player on hand. And so do you and me.

Recently I watched as a group of junior age boys tried out for a youth football team. For the most part they knew little to nothing about football, but of the 20 boys on the field that day, 18 knew they were the heir to Peyton Manning's throne. The other two were convinced they would inherit Reggie Wayne's position. It was hard not to laugh as one 250 pound 11 year old lumbered 10 yards up-field and attempted to catch a pass, thrown by a star quarterback in a way that would make a wounded duck look as though jet propelled by comparison. The unpaid mostly unequipped coach now faces the prospect of convincing each boy that his chance of glory resides at right tackle, if anywhere. Not an easy task.

I suppose that you are expecting a spiritual application to this. Knowing how the above coach feels, I will share the lesson with you.

Most of the Lord's people find themselves in one of two categories in their mind; the magnificent heir to some superstar, or so mutilated by life they are convinced they have no value to the Lord's team. Either attitude is mistaken. God is on record as having done what no coach can; God has gifted each person in the area where God wants him and where he/she can be most effective for the team. Occasionally the great coach changes a player's position and the person goes from good to greatness. George Ruth was a good pitcher, but he became a fair fielder and one of the greatest hitters of all time, The Sultan of Swat, all due to not fearing change. Wise changes are conducive to progress. Jesus makes them all the time on His team.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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