W. Ryan Melson
Allow me to begin by stating I have not watched a single game of the NBA finals. Growing up in Alabama our family cared about only two sports: football and spring football.
Many of my friends followed the series passionately. From what I understand the self proclaimed ‘King’ Lebron James, mega-superstar and face of the league, had the opportunity to lead his Miami Heat to victory in the waning moments of the final game.
With every second that passed, all eyes of the home crowd were fixed on their hero with a desperate longing for him to take over the game. Mere minutes stood between them and an all night celebration.
Yet each time a teammate passed him the ball, Lebron would quickly pass it off to someone else. One reporter described watching this painfully as though James were ‘handling a hot potato’.
Before the season, Lebron James was heralded as the savior of a franchise that had seen better days. Alongside a superstar squad of hard wood mercenaries, Miami was supposed to coast through the rest of the NBA en route to winning the Finals.
Yet under the brightest lights on the biggest stage, at the most crucial moment of his young career Lebron wilted under the pressure. A team of unsung players from Dallas – many of whom barely earned half Lebron’s salary – went home with the trophy.
We all encounter those pivotal moments. Standing at the proverbial crossroads, God gives us an opportunity to step up and advance His kingdom. For some, that means moving halfway around the world to plant a church among an indigenous people. For others it could be finally having that conversation with a friend or co worker about Christ.
When the Jewish people faced annihilation at the hands of a bitter enemy, an unlikely hero stood at the precipice of life and death.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:11
The novice royal could have been executed for approaching the throne without permission. Willing to risk the rage of an emotionally imbalanced king, young Esther’s courageous obedience led to the salvation of her people. She was not a skilled warrior or eloquent politician, just an attractive slave girl divinely thrust into the spotlight.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 tells us:
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…
God uses imperfect people like you and me to extend His kingdom and the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. This way He gets the glory, and it is obvious the power and ability to fulfill the mission is from Him. The responsibility is great, yet the rewards are far greater.
Under the brightest lights on eternity’s stage will you pass the ball for fear of failure? Or will you fulfill your God given destiny He has chosen you for?
What is God calling you to do today? Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.
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