I always felt a little sad for the guys on my high school basketball team who were put into a game during the waning seconds when the outcome was already decided. I was glad to see them finally get a chance to play, especially if we were winning, but it always seemed a bit nominal.

Unfortunately, nominal is how more than a few Christians view their role in God’s kingdom. Many see themselves as nothing but benchwarmers, sitting on the sidelines while others—like pastors or missionaries—do meaningful kingdom work. If I’m fortunate, they think, maybe God will give me some token playing time near the end of the game.

That’s hardly the way God sees it. Check out what the apostle Paul wrote to a group of Christians in the Roman colony of Philippi: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).

In some ways, the Philippians weren’t really different from us. They were a diverse group of people who worked and lived and loved. But because of Jesus, they were called up into a greater story that was hardly anything but normal. And Paul was confident that each one played an active role.

The apostle Paul would say a similar thing about another group of believers who lived in the town of Thessalonica: “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

None of us know how much time is left in the “game” before Jesus returns. Whether it’s a little or a lot, there are no benchwarmers in God’s kingdom. He has cleared the bench and called all of us to join Him in advancing His kingdom.