Ready, Willing, and Available

Scott Foster is a 36-year-old accountant from Oak Park, Illinois.  During his college years, he was the goalie on Western Michigan’s hockey team.  After college, Foster even played for a while for the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario Hockey League.  For recreation, Foster plays on an amateur hockey league at Johnny’s Icehouse Rink, which is just a few blocks from where the Chicago Blackhawks play their home games.

Occasionally, Scott Foster is signed to an unpaid one-day contract as a backup goalie for the Blackhawks.  On those days, Foster usually goes to the stadium, heads up to the press box, grabs something to eat, and then heads home after the game.  Last Thursday night, just before the game against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks tweeted that they had signed Foster to an amateur contract for the game as an emergency backup goalie since their regular goalie, Corey Crawford, was injured and another player, Anton Forsberg was hurt right before the game.  This time Scott Foster headed to the team dressing area instead of the press box in order to be ready for the game.  Due to Crawford’s injury, Blackhawks fill-in goalie Collin Delia was given the opportunity to make his NHL debut.  During the third period, though, Delia had to leave the game because of cramping.  Coach Joel Quenneville smiled and gave the nod for Foster to put on his helmet and enter the game.  Scott blocked all seven of the Jets’ attempts to score, insuring the Hawks 6-2 win.  The fans began chanting his name and he was even awarded the team belt which goes to the outstanding player of the game.  And now, Scott Foster heads back to his job as an accountant ready, willing, and hopefully available for the next time he is needed.

Because Scott Foster continued to exercise, play in a league, and stay up with the game, he was ready when the call came.  What a wonderful reminder of the importance of being ready, willing, and available when God sends opportunities our way or Jesus returns. 

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Titus 3:1-2

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.”

Luke 12:35-37a

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 24:44