For the second time this year, Matt Burton found himself answering an emergency call for the NSW Blues. After initially missing selection in the Blues’ State of Origin squad, Burton was once again brought into camp because of injury. It would have been easy to feel frustrated. After all, no player dreams of being the backup.
Yet from the outside looking in, there never seemed to be any resentment. Burton packed his bags, joined the squad and prepared himself to contribute in whatever way was asked of him, knowing full well he might not even run onto the field. Sometimes, simply being available is part of the job.
That attitude seems to have become a theme for Burton this season. I’ve long believed he’s a genuine five-eighth, and I still think he has the potential to become one of the competition’s elite in that position alongside a natural halfback.
Instead, in recent weeks he’s been shifted back to centre. Interestingly, both Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton and coach Cameron Ciraldo have commented that Burton looks happier than he has in a while. And again, from the outside looking in, he appears completely at peace with the move.
Whether he’s wearing the No. 6 jersey, defending in the centres or sitting on the interchange bench for the Blues, Burton seems content simply to go where he’s needed.
That struck me even more after Mass last Sunday. The priest opened his homily with one simple sentence: “It’s not so bad being sent by Jesus, is it?”
The simplicity of those words struck me. As Christians, we’re all sent. Christ doesn’t call us to stay comfortable. He sends us into our families, workplaces and communities to be his witnesses.
Sometimes that’s exciting. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it even leads to rejection or suffering. Yet when I reflected on those words, I realised something.
Despite the challenges, there is nowhere I’d rather be than where Christ sends me. Of course, I don’t always live that perfectly. None of us do.
There are moments when we’re weak, when we convince ourselves we know better than God, or when we subtly begin living as though we’re the ones in control. But every time I return to him, I’m reminded that his plan is infinitely better than my own. The apostles weren’t sent because they were perfect. They were sent because Jesus chose them. Their task wasn’t to decide the mission. Their task was simply to go.
Sport gives us a small glimpse of that same reality. Sometimes a player is sent onto the field to protect a lead. Sometimes they’re thrown into the biggest moment of the game to chase a match-winning try. Other times they warm up for 80 minutes and never leave the bench.
Every role matters.
Matt Burton reminds us that what matters isn’t the position we play, but the willingness with which we embrace it. God may not always send us where we expected, or even where we’d choose ourselves. But wherever he sends us, it’s a privilege.
And like Burton has demonstrated throughout this season, our calling is simply to give everything we’ve got, wherever we’re asked to serve.
