As a "new player" on the team we might sit on the bench for a time while we learn the plays and build up our strength. We likely have a few thousand push-ups and a few thousand squats to do in order to "muscle up" so we don't get injured during a play and so we can fulfill our role on the field. We also have to show the Coach that we can accomplish the assignments we are given. After all "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." (Luke 12:48).
When we first join the team we might only get to participate in the "big plays" infrequently and when we do play we will likely fail from time to time and stumble in our execution of the play. When we stumble, however, it is not so much that we fall (Romans 11:11).
In the end we should play the game and play to win. Or as Shaul [Paul] puts it we should "run the race" and "run in such as way that you may win." (1 Corinthians 9:24).