Hey, it’s baseball season and my husband, Ken, loves heading to Dodger Stadium this time of year (you know, it’s funny; I never hear him talk much about the game, but I sure hear a lot about those hot Dodger dogs slathered in mustard and smothered in onions!). Dodger dogs, that’s what he likes about baseball. Another thing that is funny is there he is sitting in Dodger Stadium with his ear buds in his ears and he’s listening to the game on radio. There he is watching the game and listening on the radio. Well, honestly, one thing about baseball that Ken does like to keep track of is watching which pitchers the major league teams will call up from the minor leagues. These hard-working young rookies are so anxious, so focused, so hoping they’ll get called up to the majors… I can’t even begin to imagine their absolute joy when finally they leave behind their small town ball club to get a chance to pitch in the majors! Whoa!
And friend, I’ve got a proposition for you. Have you ever thought of life on this earth as the “minor leagues”—with Christians working hard to gain a berth high up in the major leagues of heaven? I’m not talking about earning salvation. No, you can’t do that, that’s already been paid for with the blood of Jesus and we can add nothing to add to that. But we do have the opportunity to earn eternal rewards in the next life. Scripture tells us that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for things done while in the body.” I tell you what, the way I live life on earth will affect my responsibilities, my opportunities, and even my joy—in ways beyond my ability to imagine. It’s all going to have an impact on the way I live in heaven.
This is what makes the present life so exciting. It’s like a training gymnasium! And I don’t know about you, but I'm so focused, I am so looking forward to getting called up into heaven. I can’t even begin to imagine the joy that will fill my heart when I finally leave behind this small town called earth. Oh, I'm not complaining about it. No, it’s just a place of preparation, and that’s the way it is for you, too. Your nine-to-five job isn’t merely an occupation; it’s a proving ground for your faith. Every earthly problem, every earthly affliction, task, household chore—and all the relationships that go with it—everything is a minor league exercise to outfit you and prepare you and strengthen you for the major leagues. You’ve got a lot of service to do in heaven. My longing for heaven is not a pie-in-the-sky desire to leave this tiresome old wheelchair behind. No, I can’t wait to get to heaven and realize that, hey, my earthly afflictions were just opportunities to demonstrate my faithfulness.
So stand firm, my friend. The dawn is coming. Life everlasting; oceans of light; joy unspeakable. Be trustworthy and remain faithful because one day you’re going to receive a call – a call that your very life depends on. The Master will be calling up to come up to the major league, and, I tell you, there will be no sweeter sound to your ears in time or eternity than those words from our Savior and King in Luke 19, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 93176
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