ABCCONN

July 21, 2010

Dear Friends,

Three hits! There was a time in my life when I would have expected to have nights like I had last night. The ball just kept dropping in. I even advanced a runner home on a sacrifice fly in my last at bat. Afterward one of the guys asked me where I had been all season.

My answer to that question is that I was sitting on the bench. I don't play much anymore. For many years I lived to play the game. As player and coach of the First Baptist Softball team I couldn't wait to get out there. I didn't do too badly. My career batting average was around .500. I hustled and used every bit of my desire to compensate for what I lacked in natural ability.

Two years ago I decided to take a seat on the bench. I lost some of the fire in my belly. I made it a point to be available in an emergency but I really felt that I didn't have much more to give. I didn't want to hang on and get in the way of the younger guys who like to play hard and give it all they have.

I like my new role. It has become comfortable. I don't stress about knocking in runs anymore. That's someone else's job. I don't worry about making the plays in the field. Let them do it. I like being a cheerleader.

I woke up this morning and began to think about the question my teammate posed to me. "Where have you been all season?" It isn't going to make me change my mind about playing but it did get me thinking about ministry. It is often the same question we ask in the church or synagogue of people who have obvious gifts and talents and rarely use them.

People give many reasons for not getting involved. They suggest that they lack the talent, the time, the knowledge and expertise. The truth is that God has heard all the excuses. He heard them from Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah long before you and I used them. God answered their excuses by telling them that he had already compensated for their weaknesses and was going to stand with them in his calling.

This is as true today as it was then. When God calls us to serve He has our back. He gives us the words to say when we need them. He gives us a rock to cling to when we are in the midst of a storm. He imparts his wisdom to us and gives us confidence when we feel inadequate.

Maybe its time for us to step up to the plate. When the priest, minister or rabbi calls for someone to pinch hit, let's stop making excuses. There is a world out there that needs us to love, serve and share the good news. So get up there and swing away!

God bless. See you in Church. Cal.