Skin in the Game

This was one of Pastor Chuck’s catchphrases. I’ve thought about it a lot. Basically, it means that you have to put something (money, effort, time, etc.) into what you are doing in order for it to really mean something to you.  If what you are doing doesn’t cost you anything, then it’s easy for you to ignore it, forget about it, or walk away from it.

Unfortunately, this is how many approach life. They are looking for the easy route, too lazy to blaze a new trail or put forth the effort to really be proud of what they’ve accomplished. No, these days, everyone is awarded for even signing up, regardless of whether or not they showed up for a practice, a recital, a game, or a day of work. 

This trend has wafted into American church doors like a fog surrounding Christians until they can’t see ahead of them or around them because their vision isn’t clear.  The Bible tells us that “where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Are you due for an eye exam? Do you see what’s happening around you?

One of the most profound things that has happened to me since Pastor Chuck left this earth is that I have found myself going “all in.” This includes my attitude about home, church, and work. I have “skin in the game” with my family because I want to boldly proclaim the truth of Christ over their lives. This takes effort and time and pulling out of my shell to engage my kids and husband in conversations that are meaningful. Am I tired at the end of the day? The answer is a huge YES! But if I neglect these moments with my kids and husband while I still have some liberty to guide them into truth, I’m being lazy. My sons need me; my husband needs me. I’m all in.

At church, the kids, parents, and volunteers need a leader they can trust who has a heart after God. Someone they can depend on to do right and will  be there when they need me. If I walk away from or ignore what needs to be done where there is a need, one of these little ones may see my example and it could have eternal implications. 1 Corinthians 8:9 says, “ But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.” The absolute last thing I want is to be a stumbling block for these little one and any new to our family of faith.

Finally, I must address the workplace. If you say you are a Christian, everyone is watching you. Do you have “skin the game”? Is it costing you anything to walk the walk you proclaim to follow? 

Back to my earlier question— How’s your vision?  Has your vision become cloudy because of life? What do you have in your life that’s worth fighting for? If you need an eye exam, return to the mirror of our lives-the Word of God. As you read, ask God to remove the scales from your eyes and reveal Himself to you. Be bold. Ask Him to tear away anything that doesn’t need to be there. But let me warn you: this may hurt. It may cost you a friendship. It may cost you popularity. It may cost you time, effort, or even money. But until you really have “skin in the game,” you aren’t really playing. You’re just watching from the sidelines.

I don’t want to be a sideline Christian. I’m going all in. It may cost me some things, but if I lose the world to gain Christ, I’ve won. In the meantime, as long as I’m here, God’s got work for me to do in my family, in my church, at work, in the world. Until He’s finished with me here, I’m going to keep “skin in the game.”

Check out Jentzen Franklin’s message this week from FreeChapel:

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