This season has been a different story for Pacheco and the Chiefs, though. After a strong performance in the season opener, Pacheco fractured his fibula in the second game of the season. He had to undergo surgery and was unavailable to the team for several weeks. So do you think the Chiefs just left a hole in their roster until he returned? While he was out of commission, did they just take the field without a running back, crossing their fingers and hoping for the best? 

Of course not!! It’s next man up! In this particular case, the team brought back a former player who wasn’t on any team’s active roster for the year. But although he hadn’t been signed to a team, he was staying ready. He was working with a trainer, maintaining great physical condition, and when the Chiefs called, he was prepared and up for the challenge. The opportunity was there, he was available, and he stepped on the field, took action and made things happen. He led the team in rushing in his first two games back.

How absurd would it have been if the Chiefs had just stayed stuck on Pacheco? If they decided not to even put a running back on the field, the team would have been playing at a huge disadvantage. The Chiefs actually had to employ the next-man-up mentality in a variety of positions this season. Several big name players were hit with injuries, forcing the team to be creative and rely on backup athletes for big time minutes and contributions. If they had not given opportunities to the next available players, the team would’ve been in a truly terrible situation. They would have put teams on the field with way fewer players than their opponents, they would have played at a significant disadvantage, and they definitely would not be playing in the Super Bowl next Sunday (which they are). 

I started thinking about this more when NBA star LeBron James tweeted about the Chiefs’ situation in the middle of a Monday Night Football matchup against the New Orleans Saints back in October. Despite missing several key players, the team won. The backups came in and, under the leadership of team MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they dominated their opponents. James tweeted, “KC is just so good man! Doesn’t matter who’s not in the lineup as long as QB1 is!” QB1 being Mahomes, of course. James was acknowledging that even without several stars, the Chiefs went with who was available, followed their leader, and marched on to victory.

What does this have to do with stepping out in faith and serving God when He calls? Well, if you loosely apply this sports analogy to the kingdom of God, it might go something like this… God is the coach, and you are the player. In His perfect timing and wisdom, He chooses the right moment to call your number! At that moment, it’s your choice whether or not to be found available and willing to be obedient. Then, your task is to actually put your feet to the floor and do what God is calling you to do. You gotta make things happen!

If you choose not to actually walk in obedience, then God will move on to His next willing follower. Although He wants to involve you in His plan and use you for His purposes, God won’t just field a half-strength team. It’s next-man-up mentality! He wants to give you opportunities to serve Him and experience the growth and blessings that come from partnering with Him, but His work on this earth is not dependent on you specifically. 

We see this play out a couple different times in the Bible. In one instance, God had appointed Saul as king of Israel. But as time went along, Saul’s willingness to act in accordance with God’s plan changed. He decided he wanted to do things in his own way. He started out willing, available and obedient, but somewhere along the line, he strayed from God’s alignment. And so guess what? Did God panic and just try to keep moving His plan forward through a king who wasn’t willing to step out in faith and act according to God’s will? Did He try to field a team that was missing a key player who was on board with His strategy and plan? Absolutely not. God moved on to the next willing, obedient heart. Check this out. The prophet Samuel said to Saul:  

“Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” -1 Samuel 15:23b

Who was the next man up? Do you remember? The very next chapter tells us.

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” -1 Samuel 16:1

So [Jesse] sent for [David] and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. -1 Samuel 16:12-13

God’s sovereign plan will move forward no matter what. When He invites you to play a part in His plan, what an honor! But if you choose not to be obedient and reap the blessings of partnering with Him, He will use somebody else. God uses people to carry out His work because He is generous, but His work does not depend on any single person. …not me, and not you. So the lesson I take from all this is to handle His divine assignments with extreme care. Steward them well, in faithful obedience. Don’t miss out on the faith growth and blessings that come with serving the Lord. Through serving Him, you can reap blessings of joy, peace, development, enlarged faith, Christian community, and an increased dose of God’s presence. You might even get to witness miracles and wonders. 

Whatever it may be, it’s certainly better than sitting on the sidelines. Don’t let somebody else take your spot. Listen to God with spiritual ears, and be ready to respond in faithful obedience. Grab hold of His invitations to do Kingdom work!