Are You A Cheerleader For Someone?

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV) 

While I was in the Army during basic training our Sergeant rounded up the platoon and marched us down to a baseball game where his friend was playing baseball. Our Sergeant told us to cheer like crazy for the team his friend was playing on, a team that happened to be losing the game. Like magic, the more we cheered the better our Sergeant's friend's team did. Soon they were ahead and won the game. I suspect that was not the first time our Sergeant had done that. He knew a strategy that he was teaching us all—cheerleaders help a team win the game! 

It is easy to get frustrated when we look around and find ourselves benched due to illness and infirmity when others are on the field playing the game. They are active, involved, and working out a game-plan. We on the other hand can only sit by and watch the game being played. 

In truth we can do more than merely sit by uselessly. We can cheer-lead! We can let our cheers encourage those who are not playing well, those who have fallen down, those in need of an uplifting word of kindness. Our cheers may help those around us to win their game, accomplish their goals and dreams. 

I know that a kind, uplifting word, and a bit of encouragement has gone a long way to lift my spirits and help me through life. Never underestimate just how important your cheer-leading can be in the life of your loved ones, encouraging your friends, throwing a smile or friendly word to a stranger you just met. Don't become so wrapped up in your inability to do things that you fail to accomplish what you are able to do for those around you.  

Perhaps God has placed you "on the bench", removed you from the field. He didn't do so to punish you, but so that you can be a cheerleader. Do for others what so many have done for you. Lift them up with cheers of encouragement! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, You encourage us every day in so many ways. Help us to always be cheerleaders, always be encouragers, and never belittle the role of cheering from the sidelines so that others can win. Amen. 

Karlton Douglas 

Copyright 2018