KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!
By: Rev. J. Loren Russell, BA, MDiv
Philippians 4:8-9 (KJV)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
John 15: 2(b) NKJV
“.., every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
Anyone who enjoys sports readily recognizes when a player doesn’t have his or her head in the game. For any number of reasons, they are distracted and their productivity is diminished. The things they should be concentrating on have abandoned their consciousness and they become a liability to the team. A good coach will see it, yell out an encouraging word of instruction, call a time out and talk to the player, or substitute for the player, all in an effort to give that player an opportunity to regroup and get his/her head back in the game. We, too, can get our heads out of the game in any number of areas in our lives; our businesses, our jobs, or our relationships. Obstacles, distractions, plans that fall thorough, or a sudden and unexpected change in direction can cause us to lose our focus and get our heads out of the game.
Like a sports team, a good coach will see that their player is distracted and their head is out of the game. But unlike a sports team, life does not come with a coach who sits on the bench. For the most part, we are on our own. Some of us wish we had a coach right now who could give us some instruction to make it through our current situation. Our head is out of the game and we just don’t know what to do. But before you lose heart, throw in the towel or give up, let me encourage you.
There is hope.., and you do have a coach! The coach doesn’t sit on the bench, but resides in your heart.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church, says there is a way to access the wisdom and the practical instruction of the coach. He says, “.., whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)
When in doubt, think on these things. When confronted with challenges, think on these things. When your head is out of the game, think of these things. When your head is out of the game, know that “He prunes, that {you} may bear more fruit.” So, be encouraged and keep your head in the game.
Be Blessed +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell, BS, MDiv is President/CEO of The JLR Company, and an associate minister at both Goodwill and Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx.
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