Doers and Viewers
No one chooses to be a life long viewer. There are no degrees in college for it. Can you imagine getting a degree for watching other people get a degree? Viewing is for bench warmers. We all want to get into the game. Even most bench warmers hope to get at least a few minutes of playing time on the field.
What is it that turns a would be doer into a life long viewer?
We all grow up with heroes, people we look up to and hope to be like one day. They are real life people who do great things everyday. They work hard, reach goals, have special talents, and seem to be getting the most out of life. That’s what we all want. We want to maximize our life, make an impact for good, realize the rewards of hard work. What happens that sidelines us so that we find we are spectators in life for the most part and no longer participating?
Failures, disappointments, rejections all contribute to sidelining us. All of these happen to doers as well. Every doer has a list of personal failures, personal disappointments and rejections. Their list is at least as long as a viewers and in many instances longer. So what is the real difference? How did they get back in the game after defeat? Doers have overcome FEAR! They do not fear failure, disappointment or rejection.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I Jn. 4:18)
Fear will keep you sidelined. It feels safer to sit and watch. Fear is a trap the devil loves to set for those who carry the wounds of rejection, failure and disappointment. He loves to remind us of the pain we suffered and presents us with a “what if” it happens again? He wants us to be fearful of failure so that we choose to sit and watch rather than participate. If he can take you out of the game it will be a huge win.
Every member of the body of Christ is so important. God uses each one of us for His glory. We often underestimate our kingdom contribution especially when we see others as more important, gifted or valuable than we see ourselves. We are all members of the body of Christ and we are all important. Think about your own body. What if you were missing a finger, a toe, an arm, a leg. Life would be so much more difficult. Each member of the body of Christ is so valuable and important. You make a huge impact for the kingdom in little and big ways everytime you get on the field of play.
Overcoming Fear is learning to put all your trust in God. God alone is worthy of our trust and confidence and there is nothing we should fear if we have put all our trust in God. God wants you to be a doer of the Word not just a viewer. He has always had great plans for your life. Don’t allow fear to sideline you!
10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with cmy righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Pastor Alan Kirkpatrick is lead Pastor at Grace Place Church