“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” — Romans 12:11
Reporting for Duty
For avid baseball fans, one of the happiest things to hear is, “Pitchers and catchers report for spring training.” This signifies that the long wait between the World Series and the upcoming season is nearly over, that games can resume once again and fans can watch their favorite players and teams.
A couple years ago, I had the thrill of getting to visit Arizona around the time of spring training and, for this baseball fan, the vibe was palpable. You could feel the excitement and the energy ahead of the approaching season. Getting to go to my favorite major league team’s facility and see some of my favorite players leaving the building was truly a thrill. Spring training is a fresh start — full of many hopes and dreams. Players reporting to their respective teams indicates a new beginning and an opportunity to chase the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
But when it comes to life and our Christian walk, reporting for duty annually isn’t enough. We must report daily. Unlike athletes who get to take an offseason every year, we don’t get the choice of having days off when it comes to following Jesus and making a difference for Him in this world. Every day we must make the choice to show up — willingly, humbly, completely. We must be available to God for whatever use He wants to make of us that day, denying our own fleshly desires and ready to go to work for Him wherever and however He directs us.
Like a player who puts in preparation so as to be in the best possible condition for when it counts most, we need to be putting in the time and effort into our Christian walk every single day, so that we are the most equipped for when it matters. Because each day, each moment matters concerning the things of God.
Don’t live your one, precious life like a professional athlete in the sense that you only need to show up, train hard, and be ready when the big moments happen. Don’t take days off and think you can just decide to be available to God when it feels good or seems convenient. Report for duty — daily, hourly. You’re only given a short span of time on this earth to do the things God wants of you. So why not make the most of it and keep on being willing and prepared so that, at any point, He can call on you to do something meaningful for Him and know that you’re ready to go!
Life is not spring training. Life is 24/7, 365. You never know when you might be needed for the Master’s purpose, so make sure you’re fit and available. You don’t want to miss that opportunity when it comes.
— Katherine Singer
If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com.
