Who Has Next?

Being from Indiana, I’ve always loved basketball. Come on Hoosiers!! I worked hard at it since I was in the first grade, as I sought to carry on the family tradition of playing the game. My grandfather played in the NBA, and is in Butler University’s Hall of Fame. My dad was a really good player, too, so it’s in the family.

A part of practicing and getting better is playing at the playground. When you do, there is a phrase everyone knows: “Who has next?”

This references who has the next game. So if you want to play, you have to find who has it, and see if they will let you play with them. This happens all over America. I have so many stories and memories from these times. As I asked, “Who has next?” I gained life lessons, great friends and skills.

But “Who has next?” also applies to a more important issue.

It’s about reaching out to the next generation. Each of us has a great opportunity to invest in those younger than us. The impact of a parent, mentor, pastor, coach, teacher and more is monumental and shouldn’t be ignored. One of the greatest things we can do is to prepare and invest in those coming behind us. It’s our duty, and it’s our turn.

We all know this, yet the obvious is not always practiced.

God has a plan for “Who has next,” and it’s His church. There is no “Plan B.” Our hearts must be turned toward our children and youth. Too many churches and Christians are making points yet missing hearts, and all the while losing ground for what and who is next. You see, it’s good to want the next generation to do more, be better and surpass us in every way. It’s a good thing for the next generation to excel beyond our wildest dreams. This is our legacy, and each of us has the chance to leave one behind.

Who has next?

“The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
Psalms 102:28

This is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. Notice that we will live in security, meaning He is our provider, our help, our strength, our protection, our source and more. Then, our children will thrive in His presence. I’m believing this for my children and grandchildren as I seek to have a generational legacy for God. How about you?

What we must remember is when we ask “Who has next?” the answer is our kids. They will have their turn sooner or later, and what we do now will mean so much in the future. Yet, for them to thrive in the presence of God, we have to do our part and put in work. It doesn’t happen automatically, so our role is huge.

I encourage you to embrace the reality that our today will soon be their today. Our time and moment will shift, so if we number our days now, we will enjoy our days later.

Here are a couple of ways we can practice this.

First, be consistent. This is something we are doing as a family with a weekly game night and then a weekly Bible night. It’s not an overload, but it’s consistent and it works. I have discovered that kids want to be with their families. They are seeking attention and love, so let’s give it.

Second, practice it. This is big, because our kids do what we do as opposed to what we say. Our actions are massive, and if they see us praying, going to church, worshiping God and more, they will follow. I’ve seen too many parents preach at their kids but not live it themselves. This stops any forward progress. We know we aren’t perfect, but we can be faithful and then say sorry when we miss it.

Start here, start now. It’s not too late. The greatest investment we can make is in the next generation.

Who has next? Give them a chance and let them play with you now!

Have a great week and the best is yet to come,