“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” – Psalm 32:8
Christian Newsome shared a wonderful analogy using the Kansas City Chiefs. After each offensive play, quarterback Patrick Mahomes raises his hand and wiggles his fingers. In a documentary, he explained that this is his way of signaling to the coach on the sideline that he’s listening and ready for the next play.
When we step inside our houses of worship each week, we need to do the same. God wants us to be keenly interested in “What’s the play this week?” “I’m listening.” You see coming to church is not the game. It’s the huddle with teammates so that we can go play the game once worship is over. While reflecting on this idea, my wife Janet commented, “That’s one of the reasons being in the huddle—being with the church—is so important. If you’re absent, you miss the play call and the opportunity to encourage the team.”
Once Mahomes wiggles his fingers, the head coach relays the play to the offensive coordinator, who passes it on to Mahomes, who informs the team. The play doesn’t always go as designed. Linemen jump offsides. Receivers drop passes. Heavy rain suddenly begins to pour. The game of football can get messy at times. But you know what will make it even messier? If the quarterback and the team don’t have the play—if they line up with no instructions from the head coach.
So, Christians, in 2026, let’s walk into our houses of worship and wiggle our fingers. “God, who do you want me to notice this week?” “Who do you want me to talk to about Jesus this week?” “God, who do you want me to reach out to this week?” “I’m listening—what’s the play?” The note from the margin reads: We seek God’s guidance because we love Him and want to please Him. We want to follow His instructions. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Again, the church coming together is not the play—it’s the huddle. When a church functions as the huddle, life becomes the play. We come together and ask God, “What’s the play today?” God says, “Go make disciples. Go tell people about Jesus. Ready. Break!” We then depart our church buildings and head out into the world, with the play on our minds, determined to execute our parts as best we can.
What can we do in addition to coming together, wiggling our fingers, and asking God for the play each week? We can do so every morning, before we get out of bed—perhaps after spending some time in the playbook.
Great analogy. Services and Bible classes should be where the correct calls are emphasized (the calls are made by God). I would challenge the assemblies to strive to do even better at preparing and challenging each other to run the plays. Note, I didn’t say perfectly run the play because some of us will use the excuse we aren’t prepared enough.
We need to know God’s word better than anything else we do in this life. We also need to learn how to be more effective in engaging those around us to preach the gospel. Unfortunately, I don’t think we are prepared to meet people where they are at for reasons within our control (w.g., because we don’t feel competent enough to turn the tough discussions around into biblical conversations or for other reasons related to fear).
Christianity is for the bold, not the coward. The files are ripe. When’s the last time you had a Bible study with someone? When’s the last time you talked to someone and shared the gospel plan of salvation? If it’s been a while, and especially if you don’t remember, it’s time to engage and share the precious gift of eternal life.
Great analogy that is right on for worship and being in the word.