Put Me In Coach
A Passion To Be In The Game
My Junior High basketball career was less than stellar. I was short and slow. Don’t get me wrong, I could shoot the basketball, but this was before the three-point line, so my shooting was not going to garner me playing time. Shooting the basketball came easy when no one was guarding me, however, my lack of speed made getting open to shoot very difficult. My Jr. High didn’t cut any players. So, there were always about eight or nine of us who never got into the game. I always tried to sit as close to the coach as possible, but those seats were reserved for the players who were actually playing. I watched with great anticipation, desperately desiring to hear my name called! I just wanted to get into the game. It didn’t matter when or for how long; I just simply wanted to play. All I could think about was going to the scorers’ table and checking into the game.
When you have a passionate purpose or calling in life—whether it’s to serve, work, or live in a foreign country as a missionary or teacher—you often feel that same intense desire to “play.” You just want to be in the game. I craved the opportunity to play. Today, I desire the same yearning to engage in the pursuit of my dreams, goals and my God-given calling. I believe regardless of the type of service you commit to, or the career path you pursue, it is essential to approach each day with an attitude of “I just want in the Game.” The desire to actively pursue your vision will be challenging. There will be days when it’s easier to find a more convenient life. Regardless of the circumstances, it is imperative to pursue your calling with an unbridled passion. It’s about the willingness to get involved and contribute. This mindset can lead to personal fulfillment and growth, reinforcing the idea that passion and commitment are vital components of a meaningful life. This serves as a reminder to embrace opportunities to play and engage fully in whatever pursuits inspire you.
On a cold winter night, our team was playing and getting beat badly. The score wasn’t even close. This was before the time when they used a running clock called the “mercy rule.” I sat with the other bunch of bench warmers the entire night. There was a dead ball out of bounds with twenty seconds left in the game. Our coach looked down the bench and just asked who wanted to go in the game. Every player looked and just shook their head no. I couldn’t get up quick enough! I just wanted in the game. It didn’t matter if it was twenty seconds, I just wanted to play. I was in long enough to hear my shoes screech on the hardwood. Those twenty seconds went by with just one trip down the court. I didn’t care, I got to be in the game.
I remember how angry our coach was when we returned to the locker room, but it wasn’t because we lost the game. While he was certainly unhappy about that, his frustration was directed specifically at the players at the end of the bench who showed no desire to get into the game. There is a lot about life that can be learned from simply wanting to be in the game. It doesn’t matter what the score is or what your talents and abilities may be; the real question is whether you want to participate. You can choose to live apathetically and neglect your passions. You might look at life as if the score isn’t close, deciding it’s not worth your commitment or time. However, if you choose to play regardless of the circumstances, you will pursue your goals and dreams with passion and a strong desire to achieve greatness. Apathy can lead to missed opportunities. God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for an attitude of engagement. He isn’t looking for your ability, He’s looking for your availability. Not only can you achieve personal success, but your attitude can inspire others to recognize the importance of being active in pursuing their own goals and dreams with fervor and passion. The desire to engage and play will lead to personal growth and fulfillment, regardless of the obstacles that may arise.
Gladys Aylward was a missionary to China. She lived her life with reckless abandon! A pragmatic faith wasn’t suitable for Gladys. Her faith was not defined by living comfortable and safe. She overcame insurmountable odds to live out her faith. Born in 1902 to a working-class family in Edmonton, North London, England, Gladys learned the power of prayer and the rewarding life of living obedient to God’s word and His calling. During her teenage years, Gladys worked as a parlor maid. When she was eighteen, she had a profound encounter with God. God placed a dream and calling on her life to be a missionary to China. Gladys felt a tremendous burden and desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Chinese. However, she was soon to face numerous obstacles, which seemed insurmountable. Gladys’s deep faith in God cultivated a firm commitment and zeal for achieving her life ambition. She understood the passion to “get into the game.”
Despite her enthusiasm, Gladys encountered financial, educational, and emotional challenges along the way. She was well-informed about the life and work of Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission. Gladys applied to serve with CIM, but she struggled to learn the Chinese language effectively, because of this she was rejected from serving with CIM, setting her back in her pursuit of ministering in China. Gladys lived an inspirational life, grounded in her deep faith and trust in God. She was not going to allow this to thwart her pursuit of God’s calling on her life. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for many around the world. She exemplified contentment while actively seeking God’s purpose and direction for her life. In times of darkness, she firmly believed that God was at His best. Circumstances would not shake her unwavering faith. She had a clear vision of her beliefs and pursued that path with fierce determination. Despite her lack of formal education, she harnessed the immense power of her prayer life. The pragmatic voices around her urged her to quit, suggesting she wasn’t good enough; however, she refused to let that deter her from pursuing her God-given calling and the dreams that resided deep within her soul.
October, of 1930, she spent her life savings on a train ticket to China. She embarked upon the dangerous trip across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The trip was challenging, to begin with, however, the Soviet Union and China were in an undeclared war. Sometime during the trip, she was detained by Russian forces, however, she managed to escape and with help from local citizens boarded a Japanese ship to Japan. In Japan, with the help of the British embassy, she boarded a ship bound for China. Arriving in Yangcheng County, she began working with an experienced missionary named Jeannie Lawson. Together, they managed The Inn of the Eight Happiness, where she provided hospitality to travelers while sharing her Christian faith with anyone she could. Additionally, she assisted the Chinese government as a foot inspector, reporting, monitoring, and enforcing the new foot-binding law that affected young Chinese girls. This work proved to be challenging, as inspectors often faced violence and were attacked while trying to enforce the new law. Gladys embraced this opportunity! She traveled the entire region to cities and remote villages sharing the Gospel Message.
Gladys was popular among the people of China due to her dedicated servant attitude. She passionately lived out her God-given calling through her love and service to orphans and the poor. Often she risked her life to help others. She took in several orphans, providing them with food and daily necessities. She became a leading advocate for prison reform due to her role in stopping a violent prison riot. She garnered such respect from the Mandarin that they called upon her to intervene. She listened patiently to the prisoners and promised to address their concerns. She found the living conditions unacceptable. She promised to bring improvement, thus satisfying the prisoners and ending the riot. She was a constant servant; exhuming an unwavering faith in God. Her desire to “be in the game,” was not going to be jettisoned by a craving for comfort.
In 1938, the region was invaded by Japanese forces, and with almost every route to safety blocked, Gladys decided to lead more than 100 children over the mountains. Despite facing violent threats, sickness, and harsh terrain, she embarked on an arduous journey to safety. During the twelve-day journey, God provided. He used unsuspecting individuals to provide food and housing. Gladys and the children even found vital protection from Chinese soldiers along the way. The journey is a remarkable story of faith in and of itself. Gladys took several opportunities to gather the children for a time a prayer and the singing of hymns. The final portion of their journey was by train. When they arrived in Fefung, the children were placed with people to care for them. Gladys was sick and exhausted with typhus and ended up being hospitalized.
In 1949, due to violent threats by the Communists, she returned to Britain. Her life was in danger as the army began arresting Christian missionaries. She lived in Basinstoke, England for several years teaching and giving lectures about her work in China. She felt a strong desire to return, however, when she arrived the Communist government denied her entry. She stayed in Hong Kong for a while before finally moving to Taiwan in 1958. There, she started an orphanage and worked until she died in 1970. There have been numerous books written and movies made about her life and her work. She was always uncomfortable with the attention she received. Gladys was on a mission to live out her faith; serving God, by serving the less fortunate and the most vulnerable in life. She lived with a passion “To Be In The Game.”
Rich Binning is a researcher, investigator, and freelance writer based in Southeast Asia. He supports missionaries in spreading the message of Jesus Christ and works towards ending child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Rich is well-educated in Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, and Political Science, which equips him to comprehend the intricacies of cross-cultural missions and anti-trafficking efforts. He applies his research and investigative skills to offer effective solutions to complex issues.
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