What’s your platform? What position in life do you now find yourself in, that may be the means through which God intends to use you? Paul, writing from prison, spoke to this very idea in Philippians 1:12-14.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
While not every believer may get up on a Sunday or a Wednesday and teach or preach from a “platform,” the fact of the matter is that God has placed every believer a position from which they might influence and reach others with the Gospel of Christ. Your platform in life right now may look different than others, but is certainly no less important! God has placed you in your line of work, your place of employment, your specific set of circumstances, or your stage of life for a specific reason, and that reason is to bring honor and glory to Him!
Paul’s “platform” happened to be a trial. In fact, it was prison. And yet Paul reminds believers to take comfort in the fact that though what was happening to him was not necessarily “good,” it was all working together “for good” (Romans 8:28). Paul did not waste the platform that God had given him, and he used it to share the Gospel with those around him, many of whom no doubt would have been his guards in the prison. Souls were being saved, Christians were being encouraged by his testimony, and Paul could rejoice in the fact that God was using him even in difficult circumstances.
A couple weeks ago, I remember watching the MLB Homerun Derby, where veteran Albert Pujols was competing for the final time in his incredible 22-year Hall of Fame career. Though he did not win the Derby, I was rooting for him! I quickly googled and checked out his career stats, but while doing so came across an incredible section on his website (pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/discover/faith).
Pujols states:
“People have said to me, “Albert, I would give anything to be able to play baseball like you.” They may look at my abilities and think that being a great baseball player is the goal of my life. Believe it or not, baseball is not the chief ambition of my life. Becoming a great baseball player is important to me, but it is not my primary focus. Because I know the Hall of Fame is not my ultimate final destination.
My life’s goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
He goes on to say: You may recall 2006 if you are a Cardinals fan. The season culminated with the first World Series Championship in St. Louis in 24 years. For many fans, it was the highlight of their year. However, if you asked me about the pinnacle of 2006, you would probably be surprised to learn that winning the World Series or winning my first Gold Glove at first base was NOT the highlight moment of the season for me. My personal favorite moment during that season was seeing two of my friends and teammates come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That was the peak of my year! “Others” were important enough for Jesus to die on the cross for them; and they are much more important than a World Series ring.
What an incredible perspective from a man who seems to “have it all” in the eyes of the world – riches, talent, fame, success, popularity. And yet his perspective and goal in life is to use the platform he has been given, not to bring glory to himself, but rather to bring glory to God and see others come to Christ in the process.
So what’s your platform? And how will you allow God to use you in the areas He has placed you?