In fact, the role of the waterboy seems central to God's Kingdom work here on earth. Let me explain...no, there is no time...let me sum up.
The waterboy job is not exactly skilled labor. There are no try-outs for waterboy, no special training camps or drills to run through at practice. Its a simple task. As revealed by the beloved, if over-zealous, Bobby Boucher (above right), waterboy is often undervalued because he doesn't really contribute on the field of play. While its easy to see that the job of waterboy is actually very important, it remains difficult to assign any value to the person actually doing the job, because in reality, anyone could do it.
Somebody has to do it, but most of us would not relish being relegated to such an invisible and seemingly insignificant role.
Yet look at the characters God uses throughout scripture to get Kingdom work done.
Moses, an 80 year-old shepherd with no obvious leadership skills, is called to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.
David, a musically inclined shepherd boy, is crowned king of a nation.
Abraham, a man chosen, from all appearances at random, to be the father of a God's people.
Naomi and her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth.
Rahab, the pagan prostitute.
And when Jesus comes along it gets even worse (or better?). His entire starting 12 are basically waterboy types; nobodies from nowhere. His mother an unmarried virgin. Father, a Jewish carpenter.
God seems to be trying to make a point.
What we can do on our own has absolutely nothing to do with what He can do through us.
When it comes down to it, most of us are not really exceptional at anything. To look at the lives and expectations on most high school students, you wouldn't believe this. Parents, coaches, teachers collectively convey the message that everyone can be amazing at something. Students come to believe that if they aren't the best in the school, in the county, in the state, in the country, then they aren't worth much to anyone. The pressure of living up to these expectations traps students in a cycle of trying hard, not quite getting there, feeling devalued, getting a pep talk and trying harder.
God is not holding auditions for the best and the brightest. He is inviting all comers to join him in the work of the Kingdom. He is looking for someone who will say Yes.
Just to pre-empt any debate about spiritual gifts and natural skills - yes God does gives us abilities and gifts to do certain things well and we can be hopeful that the Kingdom work to which He calls us will allow us to use what we have. But Kingdom work is not about us using our gifts. Its about getting stuff done, seeing the lost come to Christ, seeing the poor fed and clothed, seeing the oppressed receive justice, etc., regardless of what I think I'm good at.
And if we give ourselves to process of being used by God to honor him and bless others, we will find the life for which we were made.
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones...he certainly will not lose his reward."
-Jesus.
I aspire to be a waterboy in the Kingdom.
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