My
dear, sweet wife accuses me of being a couch potato. I hate to admit it but I’m guilty as charged.
I’d
rather watch Phil Mickelson tee it up instead of playing 18 holes myself. I’d rather watch a professional fisherman
haul in a big catfish instead of bating a hook and trying it myself. I’d rather watch a home improvement program
instead of trying to find my tool box (it’s the red box covered with cobwebs)
instead of trying to build or repair something myself.
But
lately this couch potato has been thinking that it’s time to get off the couch!
Why
the change of heart? When you get right down to it, it’s much more fun
participating than watching…it’s more healthier to be actively involved than
passively sitting on the fence…it’s better to be on the playing field instead
of being in the bleachers. You get my
drift, right?
Golf
caddy, Neil Oxman, gets it. He says, “I
tell my friends that if you are a sports fan and you caddy at a PGA tour event
it will change your life forever. There
is absolutely no other way to be that close to a sport without actually playing
it. You can’t go on a field at a
baseball game…when you caddy you are on the field…it is an amazing feeling to
be there.”
I’m
convinced – being a part of the game is so much better than being a couch
potato. I’m sure it beats being a pew
potato too.
What’s
a pew potato? This is someone who watches what goes on at church, admires and
even rejoices at the mission and ministry of the church but warms a pew or seat
each Sunday without ever getting involved.
My
friend, Randy, used to be a pew potato.
He was a member of a fairly large church and he found it was real easy
to blend in to the crowd and let others serve or do important tasks.
Then
Randy was given the chance to help plant a new mission church in a nearby
community. In this new congregation, pew
potatoes were not allowed. Everyone was
expected to use their gifts and abilities to glorify God and to help others.
As
the new church began to reach people and grow, Randy discovered the gift of
leadership by organizing church members into groups so that Sunday morning
worship went smoothly. He found that he
had the gift of teaching and enjoyed spending time with the older youth of the
church. He learned that he had the gift
to comfort and counsel and people who were dealing with troubles and challenges
in their life appreciated the time and the prayers that Randy offered them.
Randy
found out how exciting it was to be an active servant instead of a passive pew
sitter. His service to the Lord’s church
changed his life. God blessed Randy in
ways he could have never imagined. All
because he raised his hand to a simple request – how would you like to help
more people get to know Jesus?
Have
you gotten a little too comfortable seated on your favorite pew? Ask the Holy
Spirit to give you a gentle poke in the ribs.
When there’s a need for volunteers, raise your hand. When there’s an invitation to go on a mission
trip, pack your bag. God just might work
through you to change the life of another person.
From "Wake Up With The Word" 2013
