I never really liked gym class. No offense to any gym teachers out there, but I rarely looked forward to gym, especially during that middle school phase…
Each day when I was down in the musty locker room changing my clothes, my heart would start to pound as I thought about what activity awaited me at the top of the stairs. One of the most dreaded gym sessions of the year? Basketball.
To this day, I still can’t do a lay-up with good form or dribble down the court without “traveling.” It’s not that I didn’t try– I just was never very good. I was THAT kid– you know the one– the kid that always got hit in the face with the ball. (Don’t believe me? I once got my lip split open by a ping pong ball. My face naturally attracted flying objects. It’s science.)
In all of my basketball gym class days, I will say I learned one thing that sticks with me to this day: How to be in “ready position.” Feet a little wider than shoulder distance apart, knees bent, hands up… As the girl who always got hit in the face, I was more than willing to perfect any technique that might help me 1) Move quickly out of the way of a flying object or 2) Deflect said flying object from my middle school mug.
This concept of being in “ready position” extends beyond the sports world. The military is a prime example. They are trained to move into action within a moment’s notice. My beloved husband has not taken this lightly and insist on carrying into all aspects of his life. He always tries to engage in combat parking (backing into a parking spot to be ready to move quickly) at all restaurants or shopping areas, even though I convince him the likelihood of needing to evacuate quickly is minimal. My beloved even takes this “ready position” so far to include his ice cream eating habits.
Ready for anything– even for ice cream eating, spoon in the freezer and all.
Yep, that is an actual picture of his favorite ice cream in the freezer… In “ready position” waiting to be consumed… spoon poised and all.
I love the man. I really do.
While my husband’s “ready position” habits might seem a bit extreme, I can’t help but wonder if he doesn’t kind of have the right idea, especially when it comes to our walk with Christ. Are we in ready position to give and receive Jesus?
Are we poised, eyes peeled, heart up, looking for ways to share Jesus around every corner? Would we be ready if He showed up tomorrow or would He hit us in the face because we are unaware of His presence?
How do you stay in touch with Christ? What does your ready position look like? Feel free to leave a comment.
I *try* to be constantly aware of Christ. Sure, I get distracted when I see something shiny, but I am always attempting to get better at sharing Jesus and receiving what He has to offer. From blogging daily to working on my 1000 gift list to praying for those around me, I feel more ready for Jesus than I ever did while playing midde school basketball. (Or ping pong.)
So today, I challenge you to be light on your feet, bend your knees, get your hands up, eyes open and heart prepared– let’s stay in ready position for Jesus.
Ready and waiting,
SGK
“You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.” –John 6:44 (MSG)
