Game Changers

We just started a new series called Game Changers.  During the four weeks of the series we'll be looking at four different people in the bible to see how they changed the world around them and what lessons from their lives we can apply to our own (that was a long sentence).  When I think of game changers, I think of athletes.  I think of people like Michael Jordan, Albert Pujols, and Peyton Manning.  However, those guys are the best at what they do or did in Jordan's case.  But if we can only be game changers (for the kingdom of God) if we're the best at what we do then most of us are in trouble.  What about the rest of us mortals?  Can we still be game changers?  There's another athlete that we might be able to relate to a little easier.  His name is Robert Horry, or as he became known over the course of his career, Big Shot Rob.

Here's the great thing about Robert Horry...he was never the best player on his teams.  For most of his career he came off the bench...he was a role player.  A role player that hit 7 game winning shots in the playoffs and won 7 NBA championships with 3 different NBA teams.  He played with guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan...how does a guy playing with that kind of talent...a guy coming off the bench, become known as one of the most clutch players of all time?  It's a simple answer and it's the first thing we must learn if we want to be game changers.  Robert Horry had a willingness to take the shot.  When the game was on the line, when the pressure was at its peak and the ball was passed to him...he didn't pass it to someone else...he didn't freeze...he took the shot.

Your ability to change the world around you isn't about talent, or finances, or even spiritual maturity.  It most often boils down to one thing.  Are you willing to take the shot?  Are you willing to take some risks?  Are you willing to ask that co-worker to church...are you willing to reach out to a neighbor you know is hurting?  Robert Horry could have passed the ball to more talented players and nobody would have blamed him for it but instead time after time he stepped up and took the shot.  Regardless of what you believe, you have the talent and gifts necessary to change your world.  The question is are you going to step up and take the shot.