The Power of Participation
Johnny was the littlest guy on my team and this kid loved basketball. Two practices and a game every week, and Johnny was always there early, a smile plastered across his face, running up to me with a big hug, then he’d grab a ball and start shooting. Johnny cheered for himself after every shot he made, and cheered even louder for his teammates. He even cheered for the other team: “Wow, great shot!”
Here's the thing though. Johnny was a terrible basketball player. He could barely dribble, always looking straight down at the ball, and those few shots he was able to get up rarely even hit the rim. But Johnny loved basketball. He loved his coach, his teammates, and even practice. For him, the game was just the side dish - the real feast was being with his friends and fans, running and jumping, shooting and shouting.
Since I was the president of the league, at the end of the season I was in charge of handing out all the participation trophies. After watching Johnny all year, I thought he deserved MVP, but we didn’t have those, so I did the next best thing: I got Johnny to help me hand out the awards. To every single kid, no matter their skill or record, Johnny handed them their trophy with a huge smile, a loud congratulations, and a cheer. He lit up the gym with his enthusiasm and made even the shyest players feel special.
Johnny deserved his participation trophy too, because he understood something important. Johnny understood that it was the participation that mattered most - much more than the wins and losses. It was about being a part of the life of the game and giving back to others along the way.
Pastor Jay reminded us Sunday that salvation is not a transaction, but it's about participation. The Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples was an invitation to not just understand His death, but what it means to participate in life at the Table with Him and with our neighbors.
Peter wrote,
“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! … your tickets to participation in the life of God …”
2 Peter 1:3-4 MSG
Like Johnny, we discover that showing up matters, because when we participate with Jesus, He takes our lives, blesses them, even uses our broken places, and gives us back to the world as a gift.
Participation trophies might seem cheap in our culture obsessed with winners and MVP’s, but in God’s Kingdom, participation is the point. They say: thanks for showing up, for trying, for learning, for helping, for being part of what matters most.
When we participate in life with God, dwelling with Him each day, we find ourselves able to give grace to the ungracious, speak truth with love, act justly when others don’t, and cheer on the rest of the team.
Reflection Questions:
• How am I showing up daily to participate in life with God, not just “watching from the sidelines”?
• How might God be inviting me to His table this week?
• What does it look like to cheer others on, even when I’m not in the spotlight?
