Are You Just Applauding or Are You Involved?

I didn’t really feel like being there, but three of my grandchildren were involved. Since grandparents do things that may not make sense to others, “Grammy” and I were both there. We only stayed for a short time, but, in that short time, I saw something interesting (besides my grandchildren).

There were about three thousand young people from seven states gathered to participate in a Bible Bowl. It was very interesting to me that this event took place in a venue in which a state university usually hosts basketball games. 

On this day, something much more important than basketball was taking place. Young people were assembled to hone their skills concerning God’s Word. I loved that the man in charge announced the winners before the event began. He made sure that all those who participated were winners. It didn’t matter where they “finished” that day.

However, there was one minor problem at the beginning. An announcement was made concerning the need for volunteers. It seems that the event lacked some of the personnel needed to make sure all the records were kept properly.

In a fairly short time, some people made their ways to the appropriate location. We still weren’t ready to start, though. 

Another announcement was made. One more volunteer was needed.

It seemed as though this took a little longer than the last time. Finally, a young lady made her way across the floor of the arena. The applause began as she started making her way to join the others and continued for her entire walk.

As I watched that from way up in the nosebleed section, I thought that what I was witnessing was a lot like life in general. There seem to be many people–even in the church–who will applaud others when they get involved, but who, at the same time, are unwilling themselves to get involved. 

At times, of course, these people do not applaud. They are more than willing to criticize if things do not go the way they should.

On September 10, 1910, president Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech in France. In that speech, he said the following words which I hope will serve as a challenge to all of us:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. 

As I watched the young lady walking across the floor and as I heard the applause, I thought of my life. Specifically, I wondered how the Lord views my life. 

Am I content to only “cheer on” those involved in His cause?

Am I one who, when work needs to be done, rolls up his sleeves and does all that can be done to serve the One who gave His life for me?

How about you? Are you sitting in the stands or walking across the floor?

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22, ESV)

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