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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Leave It In God's Hands
August 31, 2006
My team, the resurgent Detroit Tigers, were in the Big Apple this week to
play the New York Yankees. They were schedule to play a day-night
double header on Wednesday and I had scored two tickets for the night
game. My friend Mark, another long suffering Tiger fan, and I met and
drove into the city together.
We listened to the day game on the radio on the way in. It was a nail biter.
The final score was 2-0 with the Tigers on the short end of a frustrating
loss. Nonetheless, hope springs eternal. That is how it is for baseball fans.
So Mark and I were already looking ahead to the evening contest.
Our team jumped out to a 2-0 lead and our pitching and defense seemed up
to the challenge. Our young pitcher had a no hitter going through five
innings. Then the Yankees took control and everything began to unravel.
They turned around and scored three runs to take the lead. My friend's
mood turned sour and for the first time he mentioned the possibility of
going home a little early. He wasn't sure he wanted to watch the end.
The difference between Mark and me is that I always hold onto hope. I
wasn't ready to give up yet. It didn't matter to me if we were playing the
Bronx Bombers or the Kansas City Royals. The game goes nine innings.
My optimism in life is not based on foolishness though. It is born out of an
experience with God that tells me anything can happen in this world. It is a
faith that reminds me that even though our Lord was crucified, sealed
away in a tomb and all his friends were mourning, that God still had
another move. When the world said it was over, there was still another
word to be said.
At the start of the ninth inning I did something I never do. I told Mark that
we were going to leave. I said that I knew we were going to win. We did
our part. We came and rooted the team on. Now we were going to leave it
in God's hands and we could listen to the victory from the car. He laughed
at me and said he was already bummed so we might as well leave.
We got to the car and were heading north on Route 95 when that
wonderful call came on the radio. John Sterling announced the ball was up
and deep and the Melky Cabrera was looking up. Craig Monroe of the
Tigers hit a three run homer to put Detroit ahead. After we let out a cheer
that could be heard throughout the Bronx, Mark began to regret our
decision to leave early. I told him that sometimes in life we have to do our
part and then leave the rest in God's hands.
The truth is that God does not take sides in a baseball game, but he does
when it comes to us and our problems. God wants us to know his joy and
share his blessing. He wants things in our lives to work out. He has
promised that He will walk with us and help us get through the difficult
and trying times. We need to do our part. But sometimes, when all is said
and done, we need to step aside invite him into our lives. Then we need to
let go and put our trust in God to work it out. The apostle Paul says this,
"We know that all things work together for good for those who love the
Lord."
So what are you worried about? Go out and follow your heart and live life
knowing that God wants you to be a winner and He's on your side. Do you
have something that is trying to overwhelm you? Then give it to God and
watch Him turn a narrow defeat into a victory.
God Bless. See you in Church.
Cal
August 31, 2006
My team, the resurgent Detroit Tigers, were in the Big Apple this week to
play the New York Yankees. They were schedule to play a day-night
double header on Wednesday and I had scored two tickets for the night
game. My friend Mark, another long suffering Tiger fan, and I met and
drove into the city together.
We listened to the day game on the radio on the way in. It was a nail biter.
The final score was 2-0 with the Tigers on the short end of a frustrating
loss. Nonetheless, hope springs eternal. That is how it is for baseball fans.
So Mark and I were already looking ahead to the evening contest.
Our team jumped out to a 2-0 lead and our pitching and defense seemed up
to the challenge. Our young pitcher had a no hitter going through five
innings. Then the Yankees took control and everything began to unravel.
They turned around and scored three runs to take the lead. My friend's
mood turned sour and for the first time he mentioned the possibility of
going home a little early. He wasn't sure he wanted to watch the end.
The difference between Mark and me is that I always hold onto hope. I
wasn't ready to give up yet. It didn't matter to me if we were playing the
Bronx Bombers or the Kansas City Royals. The game goes nine innings.
My optimism in life is not based on foolishness though. It is born out of an
experience with God that tells me anything can happen in this world. It is a
faith that reminds me that even though our Lord was crucified, sealed
away in a tomb and all his friends were mourning, that God still had
another move. When the world said it was over, there was still another
word to be said.
At the start of the ninth inning I did something I never do. I told Mark that
we were going to leave. I said that I knew we were going to win. We did
our part. We came and rooted the team on. Now we were going to leave it
in God's hands and we could listen to the victory from the car. He laughed
at me and said he was already bummed so we might as well leave.
We got to the car and were heading north on Route 95 when that
wonderful call came on the radio. John Sterling announced the ball was up
and deep and the Melky Cabrera was looking up. Craig Monroe of the
Tigers hit a three run homer to put Detroit ahead. After we let out a cheer
that could be heard throughout the Bronx, Mark began to regret our
decision to leave early. I told him that sometimes in life we have to do our
part and then leave the rest in God's hands.
The truth is that God does not take sides in a baseball game, but he does
when it comes to us and our problems. God wants us to know his joy and
share his blessing. He wants things in our lives to work out. He has
promised that He will walk with us and help us get through the difficult
and trying times. We need to do our part. But sometimes, when all is said
and done, we need to step aside invite him into our lives. Then we need to
let go and put our trust in God to work it out. The apostle Paul says this,
"We know that all things work together for good for those who love the
Lord."
So what are you worried about? Go out and follow your heart and live life
knowing that God wants you to be a winner and He's on your side. Do you
have something that is trying to overwhelm you? Then give it to God and
watch Him turn a narrow defeat into a victory.
God Bless. See you in Church.
Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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