Christian Living

Waiting for the Game to End

by Andrew Tuttle
03/31/18
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I hate getting older. As I am sure most people do.

There’s nothing I can do about it. Certainly I can take care of myself so that my appearance stays youthful (for my age) and my physiological age remains young but there’s nothing I can do to turn back the clock.

Like 10 years or so.

Reaching a new year always forces me to reflect on how quickly time passes and how little I’ve accomplished. As the months tick off and the years slip by I know it’s a matter of time before I have to face certain truths about life.

And I don’t want to.

It’s certainly interesting just how different our mindset changes as we get older. What we pray for changes too. I probably don’t pray enough in my spiritual life or at least pray for the right things. I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and I’ve always taken to heart the notion that we are to pray continuously. For instance, when I’m just thinking about benign things like errands, I’m talking it over with God.

Even when I’m swearing like a sailor in traffic. Yep, He hears all of it. He’s going to anyway so I might as well direct it at Him so he knows I am not happy with my current situation. And since He can change it if He wants to, I’d be most appreciative.

Currently, my prayer is for His return. However, I no longer know what that looks like. I used to fear what us Christians call the “rapture.” That’s because I didn’t understand it. Then as my faith grew and I looked into this religion called Christianity a bit more I learned to embrace it, then sort of hoped He would stave it off a decade or two. I wanted to live my life a little bit!

But even when I was younger, much younger, the idea of being middle aged or older didn’t rest well with me. You don’t really think it’s going to happen. But then I turned 30. Turning 30 wasn’t too bad but turning 40, yikes, I still don’t believe it. I can’t imagine what turning 50 feels like.

Now that I’m there and I’m in tune with what’s happening in this country and the rest of the world, I ask “Where the heck are You? Isn’t it enough already?” I am not sure what I believe any more on the subject of the rapture. There’s no consensus and I’ve personally witnessed those who believe it get mocked by Christians who don’t. Like they know any better. To the non-believer, I can see why it sounds a little, well, out-there.

Regardless, that doesn’t change the fact that Christ will return some day. How He does it is the debate.

So what’s He waiting for?

In addition to my disinterest in getting older in many respects I feel bored. That’s because I sit on the sidelines in the game of life watching the talented players take all the snaps.

In high school football everyone who tries out makes the team. At least that’s what it was like at my high school. The difference is not everyone plays. The players who can play get game time, the rest watch.

As I watch the game of life unfold there is no clock therefore I have no idea how much time remains. We’re also losing. The other side has the refs in their pocket and Coach has the power to throw out a red flag but He doesn’t. We take the hits, sometimes brutal ones, but keep playing. Every so often Coach quickly huddles us up and gives us words of encouragement that we will win, we just have to keep playing.

Coach has a long history in the game of life and he’s known to have a few tricks up his sleeve. I wonder why he hasn’t used any of them yet. Our guys are getting crushed.

And I’m also just watching from the sidelines. What can I do?

I’m definitely no quarterback. Certainly not a runningback. I can catch but I’m not that fast. I’m not strong enough to help block and tackle. So what’s my role? I can’t even help draw up plays!

I sit on the sidelines wishing I could do more. Wanting. Coach is there anything I can do? I feel ignored most of the time. I wonder why I wasn’t cut because I really don’t bring anything to the field. Sometimes I help warm up our quarterbacks and we have several. Other times I’m the place holder for our kicker.

But that’s all during practice.

Meanwhile, the game rolls on. I cheer when we score and shake my head when we fumble, give up an interception or when an opposing player knocks one of our guys out with a blow to the head. The refs never call it. Sometimes I yell and scream from the sidelines but I’m quickly drowned out. No one hears. I’m just one of many wondering how can this be happening? And I have no power to do anything about it.

I look at Coach. He’s too busy working with the starters. When I do have His ear, I tell him my thoughts. I don’t bring much but I wish I could. He never answers. Or maybe I don’t hear Him. Coach what are you trying to say, I yell.

The reality is I’m not even sure I’m prepared to enter the game. Would I even listen to Coach when He calls? Would I find an excuse not to get in the game? I am sure Coach knows about my confidence, read that: lack of it, so can I at least help out more on the sidelines. If I’m not called to play in the game surely I can help the players lining up behind the ball.

I look in the stands. My parents are getting older. Others have left. Dang, how long has this game been going? I’ve seen defections too. Why are they cheering for the other team? What a sec, they’re playing for them now? What’s going on? I’ve yet to step on the field but sometimes I feel like I just got a helmet shot to the side of the head. I’m wasting time standing here.

Coach, I’m bored and our guys are getting killed out there.

Is there anything I can do?

Better yet, when are You going to end the game?