“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”
In grade school, we used to pick teams to play football or basketball on the playground. Usually the close friends would get picked first until the nobodies and the non-athletic ones were left. Forced to pick, the team leader would choose from the kids left. It was like being force fed deviled eggs, you just had to open wide and take it. Those kids had to prove themselves and move up the ladder of ability and the next time teams were chosen, well, they were not left to be picked last. Instead, a new crowd of nonathletic kids took their place.
Walking out your Christian life can be like that time on the playground, waiting to be picked by the leaders to do the “will of God.” Some of us get called into the ministry and take steps to accomplish the call. Whether that is ministry school, Bible college, or serving full-time at church. Mustering up enough courage to be in line to be picked on the playground takes guts. What takes even more guts is the faith to stand and see others get picked first and still continue to stand, waiting to be picked.
Sometimes we say things like “I want to be in the army of God but I cannot speak publicly, or I am no good with kids, or those church people are just weird.” We make up all kinds of excuses to not get involved. Our verse above tell us that we were grafted into the vine because we stand on faith. While the other branches, (aka people) are broken off because of unbelief. The chosen men and women of God are grafted into the vine and they draw their nourishment from the roots of the vine. In other words, they choose to get close to God on a daily basis. Not just on weekends or holidays, but every day before the world dries them out.
We cannot forget the times when we were in line, having the courage to stand, hoping to get picked at the front, but we were still the last to be picked. When we saw all the others get chosen first. We have all held that place at one time or another. We have all been the one who is questioning God, Jesus and the whole Christian thing yet we still showed up. Even when our resolve and belief was waning, our presence never faulted.
Today, realize that were are a chosen people. A royal priesthood, a holy nation and our belief in God keeps us grafted into the vine. If you know someone who is on the edge of belief, remember you were there also. Show some grace to those of us who need some guidance and need to be a part of a team, the army of God. When you heard your name called by God through the Holy Spirit, you became a part of team, now study the Bible every day and work out your salvation. The team needs you, even if you were chosen last. We have all fallen short and have sinned and do not deserve the grace of Jesus Christ, but the cross proves to us that He wants you on the team.
Prayer: Father help our unbelief. I pray that we activate our faith by speaking the promises of the Word of God on a regular basis until they become our standard speech. Quicken us to study the word and write it on the tablet of our hearts so we can be a light to those around us. Help us to be the rivers of living water to those around us, helping them to get closer to you Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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