Thanksgiving, Home for the Holidays
"Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also." John 14:1-3
In the book, "Baseball and Philosophy," there is a passage that states: "In baseball, the goal is to get home. Yet, every batter starts off at home. Why leave? The answer is that 'home' in baseball doesn't count until you've left it then returned. Home doesn't become meaningful until you've experienced the risk that lies in front of it. You can't score until after you have confronted the pitcher and those fielders who are trying to stop you."
That's profound! As I think about the mental side of baseball, I can picture the look on the face of a young player when he faces the pitching of another kid for the first time. But I also picture in my mind the sheer pleasure on his face as he safely crosses home plate. At that moment, he knows it was worth the risk of standing at home place in order to get the chance to cross it.
As Christians, we are away from home. Heaven is our real home. We face a devil of a pitcher and a field full of sinful temptations. We have choices to make; we can be a bench-warmer, or we can take a swing at making a real difference to Christ. Either way, we're going home one day. We can arrive with the trophies of a gamer, which may be placed at the feet of the Savior; or we can arrive with only a ticket to the game that Jesus provided for us.
Today, let's all take our stand at home place, knowing that when we cross it once more, our Savior will be there to welcome us and give us a warm, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
See you when I get home,
Bernie
Proverbs 27:17