God2Share

Born in Pennsylvania, I was raised a Phillies fan.

I had a bat signed by Bake McBride and a Phillie Phanatic puppet growing up.

I remember watching the team win the 1980 World Series on our console tv.

My all time favorite player, Mike Schmidt, was MVP.

Sorry, I get a little nostalgic some days.

But today was focused on a player dressed not in red, but in blue.

Yankee great Derek Jeter was elected into the prestigious Hall of Fame.

Even this Phillies girl has an appreciation for Yankees history.

Completely humble, Jeter talked about getting to this moment.

A class act, as my father would say.

He did not boast of his works.

Jeter noted he focused on being prepared each day.

He stated he was grateful to have had the opportunity to play for the same team throughout his entire career.

Not everyone who plays the game will be elected to the Hall of Fame, even if they work hard.

But as God’s children, we are all given the opportunity to be a part of the same team and be welcomed into His kingdom someday.

And it has nothing to do with our works or achievements.

It has all to do with His grace and unending love for us.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. “

 Ephesians 2: 8-9 NIV

God does not care what position we play in life.

We all have equal value in His eyes.

But we must prepare for each day by spending time in His word and in His presence.

We must not boast of our works, but always point to His grace and love.

Friends, remember today that we are all on the same team.

And even though none of us are worthy, we are all MVPs in the eyes of the Creator.

As I began to cross over the interborough bridge yesterday, I noticed a black car in my rear view mirror, making an odd maneuver in the middle of the road.

“They must be lost,” I quietly said to myself.

But as quickly as that thought left me, the car was right beside me.

An older gentleman rolled down his window, asking for directions to 80 East.

Gratefully, I knew how to get him to his destination.

I smiled back and said, “Follow me. I will show you the way.”

Without hesitation, the man and his family pulled behind my Honda.

The vehicle stayed close until we reached the on ramp for the interstate.

He gave a beep and a wave in a thankful gesture as he drove away.

This man put his faith in a complete stranger for direction.

The disciples put their faith in a stranger as well.

Jesus suddenly came beside them, saying “Follow me.”

And they did so without hesitation, remaining close behind Him.

“ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

A little farther up the shore He saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come too. They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind. “ Matthew 4: 18-22

But it was not just the disciples that followed Jesus.

Others were looking for direction in their lives as well.

Some were sick, some were broken.

But when learning about the Savior, the crowds began to follow Him as well.

“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—He healed them all. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. “Matthew 4: 23-25

We all get lost sometimes.

We all need someone to show us the way.

Friends, Jesus knows the directions to our final destination.

Stay close to Him …He will show you the way.