Eleven Disciples
I was at bible study last Friday, and we were going over Hebrews Chapters 10 and 11. Chapter 11 is somewhat famous because of it’s roll call of Faith. Even people who don’t read the bible have probably heard some of the verses from Hebrews 11. But in studying the Chapter one of the core problems I have personally struggled with is the idea of forgiveness.
You see, if you accept Christ as your savior, your salvation is secured. It’s paid for. Done. But what does that mean as you keep living? What happens if you sin again? Did you undo it?
Chapter 10 verse 26:27 sounds pretty awful.
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Wow. Not good. But consider this. Just a few versus before in 23 through 25:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The key phrase here for us was consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds.
We all fall short, we are all sinners. But that does not mean we are lost. Our purpose, our mission is to live and meet together and encourage each other.
Ministry on the Ball Field
Suddenly it occurred to me that I had an example right before my eyes. Baseball. I have often said that baseball is great game because it teaches us to handle failure and overcome, to persevere. No one is perfect in baseball. No pitcher strikes out every batter. No hitter bats 1000. Even at the pro level they make mistakes (errors) in the field. Yet… we all still play. We all still press on.
Suddenly, I could see a model that reflects God’s vision for us, once again painted in the world around me if only I was open and willing to see it. On every team I have coached, with every group of young men I have worked with, there exists the spectrum of believers. We have boys who act with complete faith. They go all out, putting their very best into their efforts. Whether it is practice, or a game or a tournament. Whether they know it or not, their play is an act of faithful living. They are putting their best effort forward toward and uncertain outcome, but they are undeterred. Regardless of failure, they know the only way to “win”, to achieve their goals is to commit totally and play with confidence.
Then there are the group of boys who want to be good, who want to believe, but they’re not sure. They are uncertain. Their hesitation and uncertainty slows them down, just a step. A late swing, a pause before attacking a ground ball and suddenly failure looms large and heavy upon them and they think, “see I’m not good enough.” And the cycle is repeated.
Then there are the boys who are happy to be there. This is a fun activity. They are hanging out with their friends. Life is good. All of this commitment and effort is about the team, not them personally right? They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them. They’ve gone to the practices, they’ve done the drills. That’s good enough right? Just let me hang here and enjoy the atmosphere. Winning is fun. It’s difficult for this group ever to make the connection between the activity, and themselves personally. To see this as an opportunity to grow and develop.
Then you might have the super talented kid, the one who has all the potential in the world, but it’s wrapped up in fear of failure. He can’t put himself out there. It’s not a hesitation. It’s a rejection… of baseball. He thinks, I can come to baseball on my own terms, my own way. I can dictate how this will work. And we all see the potential of that athlete, how rich and rewarding his experience could be, if he would just submit to the idea that he’s not in control. He can’t be. That’s not what this is about.
And while the Bible might say some scary things about rejecting Christ, it’s also very clear that he put significant efforts into recruiting everyone, into reaching out to non-believers. Many parables indicate that forgiveness, enrollment is open to all. Even until the last hour.
And then it occurs to me that despite the errors, despite the mistakes, despite all the different approaches everyone of these players belongs. They are all part of this team. They are all part of my team. And I have a responsibility to them. To help them not only improve, but to help them on their journey to live a life of faith and confidence, to believe. I don’t know what God’s plan is. I don’t know what is going to happen when the ball leaves the bat. But I know what my role is. As a player I must act with faith and confidence and every ounce of ability I have to try and use the talents bestowed me, the skills taught to me, to try and achieve a positive outcome. I must give my best. That’s all I can do. And when I do that, I am a light on a stand serving as a beacon to others that it is possible.
And when you achieve that, when you can play that way, we don’t want players who Lord their excellence over others. We want people who can serve as a guide, an inspiration. People who “spur others on” to say, “I’m not so different from you. I have done it. You can do it too!”
As a mentor, as a coach, as a shepherd. My role is to encourage, instruct and guide. I must teach them the skills, but more importantly try to cultivate the attitude of effort. This is my flock, my responsibility. And like the players I must use all of my talent, skill and effort to help these young men understand what they are capable of becoming. And just like I don’t want to lose a single player, I believe the Lord does not want to lose a single one of us.
We will all be at different points along our journey of faith, and sometimes, like a player in a slump we may fall back and need help and encouragement to regain our confidence, but that is the mission, the job. To meet, to gather, and push, cajole and encourage each other to live lives of faith and confidence, to give everything we have and know that it is all we can do.
I am no theologian. I am not a minister. I am Christian man trying to live a life of faith and make difference in the lives of the people I love, in the community around me, and in the world as a whole. A long time ago St Frances of Assisi said,
It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching
I first heard that quote in DeWit Jones inspirational video, “Celebrate What’s Right With the World”. I am always encouraged and amazed when I find something like that in my own personal life, right under my nose.
So as I go through my season, teaching, instructing, learning. I now see this same Wisdom in the writings of the Late John Wooden when he said, “My goal was to help players become the best they are capable of becoming.” And The Capstone of his pyramid of success.
Competitive Greatness is being your best when your best is most needed.
Wooden actually never mentions winning. In fact, he talks almost dismissively about how important it is. As once you start winning, that will not be enough to satisfy your critics. He talks about development, potential and playing with grace and confidence to do your best.
When I read the bible, I see that Christ wants no less from us, and for us. That’s what makes Christ my role model for a coach. I just wish I could be better at it, but I see that as long as I’m striving, putting my best effort forward and living with faith and confidence. Even my errors will be forgiven. I will still belong.