home

‘heading for home’

There are few phrases that reflect much of what makes my heart beat like this one does.  Heading for home brings to my mind vivid thoughts surrounding much of what initiates any passion within me.

Heading for home immediately conjures up a visual of Joe Carter leaping his way around 3rd base after hitting the winning home run in the final game of the World Series in 1993 (https://www.swiftcommunity.net/userfiles/Image/CARTPHU008009_Joe-Carter-1993-World-Series-Home-Run-Celebration-Posters(1).jpg).  Though I was only breaking new ground in junior high then, the memory is etched into the brain.  As he headed for home, no one could deny it – they were defending champs! That reality and joyous moment is becoming more and more cherished as the likelihood of it happening again in my lifetime gets bleaker each August.

More importantly than my infatuation with the sport of baseball and all that home means there,  the phrase brings me to the end of each day when I grab the coat from behind my office door or head home from any number of possible meeting locations, and make my way back to where my day began!  After the challenges of ministry and the pressures of what a day can bring…for that matter – even after the joys of any day…there is nothing on this earth more promising than pulling my jetta into our cul de sac.  No worry of what level of support or love i will feel – just welcome.  A smile from my wife of 5+ years (sch’mon) or my 13 month old lil’ dude, Kendrick, eager to pull at my pants legs to get up are enough to provide temporary amnesia for what could possibly rattle me!  There are days that I take this for granted…i am sorry for that.  The longer i am here on planet earth, the more i realize what I have here at the end of my cul de sac is not necessarily a given in today’s world.

Then as I live through the scope of doing my best at following Jesus’ example  – i am constantly being reminded of the most compelling response that this phrase brings.  Jesus did say he is preparing a home for those who would follow Him http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14&version=NIV)…yet i find myself living for the here and now? material and temporary things clutch for my attention and resources.    I want an eagerness for heaven to compel me to do whatever it takes to follow the GREAT commission (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14&version=NIV) and serve humanity the to the greatest extent that I can..is any risk really too great if heaven is a reality and Jesus is the way to get there(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2014:6&version=NASB).  I want to live each day as if I am rounding 3rd and this is my home stretch…will my life honor God? Will I be faithful to represent him to my world?

heading 4 home_

Go Phillies.  Thank you K n K.  God, Lead me.