A Life Worth Following

In the last post, I mentioned that the Ambassadors had a special experience as they shared their story with last night’s opponents.  The team we played from Wichita had a few guys who liked to talk a little. Our guys were playing pretty good so their opponents tried to mouth off a little just to see if they could get under our skin.  

The Ambassadors did well under the pressure and managed to control their mouths while delivering a 15-2 victory over this team.  I was really proud of the way they kept their cool and stuck to playing baseball with integrity and extremely effective ability.  

After the game, when we handed out bracelets, several of our opponents were not very interested.  A few of the guys refused it and one player even threw it on the ground.  This was the first time this has happened to us and I am so proud of the way our entire team responded.  

You see, as we have grown closer to the Lord, we have learned that God is a gentleman.  He is not going to force His way into anyone’s life.  He is not pushy and He is not rude.  However, He is also not a pansy or a pushover.  As Ambassadors for Christ, there are times that we should simply walk away from situations and let them go.  On the other hand, there are times that you should take a strong stand and speak up.  The key is being in tune with the Holy Spirit, paying attention to what you should do.  

When Coach Savedra saw this, his godly passion kicked in and he immediately called the entire Wichita team together.  Adrian knew in his heart that this was a time where the Ambassadors had to speak up.  As the two teams gathered close to home plate, there was just something different about this post-game gathering.  Lee and Coach V began to share with this team who we were and how our team came to be.  As Justin’s story was told, this team from Wichita who were flippant about our gift to them immediately began to connect with our story.  One of our parents stood in the crowd close to the stands and was amazed at the way parents and bystanders were drawing in close to the fence just so they could hear what the Ambassadors were saying.  Even a grounds keeper stayed close by just so he would not miss any of the details.  It truly was one of those moments in life where God was moving in such a way, it was going to be impossible for anyone to miss.

As Lee finished telling Justin’s story, he moved right into the plan of salvation.  He reminded all the listeners that Justin was in heaven, not because of his accomplishments, not because of his religious activities, but because he knew that his life would be forever incomplete without an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.  As this good news was presented, the crowd was doing more than hearing, they were listening.  It truly was another divine appointment on the baseball field.

After presenting the gospel, Lee, prompted by the Holy Spirit, told this team from Wichita, “If any of you would like a journal, we want to give you one as a gift.  Normally we sell these, but we want to offer one to you.”  After this offer, six boys asked if they could have one, including the young man who tossed the bracelet aside.  

At this point, I am not sure if any of those boys or parents in the stands surrendered their life to Jesus Christ but there is one thing that I do know.  Last night, a baseball team met some authentic Ambassadors for Christ.  It was one of those times when God chose to show up and make Himself known.  God chose to use a group of guys who are not perfect, they don’t always do the right thing, and they make a lot of mistakes.  In spite of all that, they have chosen to be available to Him and because of this, God has blessed them.  Here is a group of guys who have chosen to utilize this little gift of baseball that God has given to them and now supernatural experiences are a part of their everyday life.  

It is very important that we don’t miss the real lesson here.  I Peter 3:15 says:

“In your heart, set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”  

The Ambassadors have spent this summer preparing to serve the Lord.  They are walking out on the baseball field and they are looking for the opportunity to be an example to someone.  Because they are looking for them, they are recognizing them.  

I believe that every one of us who are followers of Christ have people around us who are curious about the hope that we have.  There are people in our families, our offices, or our neighborhoods who are trying to ask us but they just don’t know how.  Today, let’s follow these Ambassadors because they are teaching us what it means to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in us.

Way to go, guys.  You are continuing to live “lives worth following”.