How to be a Good Spotter

How To Be A Good Spotter

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

   Many athletic endeavors are not only physically difficult, but also physically dangerous.  We’ve all see videos of someone on a trampoline bouncing higher and higher and then hitting the edge and falling off.  I lifted weights for a brief time after high school, and heard stories of people doing bench presses alone and dropping the barbell on themselves.  One man was killed when the barbell landed on his neck and broke it.  I watched a gymnast miss a dismount and land on the hard floor rather than the pad.  He suffered a broken ankle.  All these problems could be avoided by making use of a spotter. 

   A spotter is a partner who stands by you and warns you when you’re in danger and gives a helping hand if needed.  A spotter for a bench press exercise can steady the barbell when you pick it up and stand by to help you if your arms begin to give out on you.  Just a little boost can help you place it safely back in the rack.  A gymnast who is concentrating on their routine needs a spotter to watch them to be sure they don’t dismount wrong and land somewhere they shouldn’t.  A good spotter also motivates the athlete and keeps encouraging them as they work out.

   In my Christian walk, I’ve been blessed with some good spotters.  The senior saint who has given me pep talks when the going got hard.  The ones who showed me a better way to live.  A steady hand on my shoulder to calm me down and tell me to focus on what I need to do and not let my mind wander.  The one who was there when I fell and helped me up and dusted my off and told me to try harder.  I read somewhere that a good spotter is "a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."

   As I’ve grown in the Lord I’ve found myself in the role of a spotter.  I’ve been blessed with giving advice to young Christians and watching them grow.  It is a big responsibility, and one has to pray before giving advice that will affect someone’s life. 

   Today, I still value the use of a spotter.  An athlete never gets good enough to do without a spotter watching out for their safety, and a Christian never grows so much that they don’t need spiritual advice.  Don’t be ashamed to ask for advice and don’t be foolish to ignore good advice when it’s given. 

Stephen Cram                             March 20, 2011                   Colossians 2:8