H2Overflow

Tonight at SMP training, I was reflecting on what it was like right after I got back from Japan:

A pure heart is like a water droplet resting on a surface and seemingly still. It is fragile and anxious, so sensitive that another water droplet or even a splash is enough to overpower what holds it together. So easily does it come undone and flows to its surroundings. Likewise with the pure heart: it finds deep significance and blessing through the slightest expression of Truth, and is followed by an overflow of thankfulness, joy, faith and worship to God.

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme…

“Gold medals are wonderful things, but if you aren’t enough without them, you’ll never be enough with them.”

- John Candy as Coach Irving Blitzer “Cool Runnings”

He’s talking about character.

Rey de Jose Reyes: How baseball almost ran away with my Easter

In 2007, Jose Reyes stole a career and league high 71 stolen bases.

In 2008, he is considered one of the elite short-stops and a top 10 pick of Fantasy Baseball. At the young age of 24 he can only get better. Though 71 stolen bases is a pretty high standard, this guy can.

This past Easter weekend was different because it fell on spring break. If it falls on spring break, then it also falls at the beginning of the baseball season. And if it falls at the beginning of the season, it falls on my fantasy draft…

On Saturday night, after a really blessing night of Special Praise practice, I looked at the time and thought, “Oh my gosh, my draft is about to start!” So I hurried home and rushed to my computer.

“Whew, I made it in time!”

Immediately, my mind was filled with numbers, home runs, stolen bases, batting averages, and ERA’s. Easily, I became so worried about picking sleepers and superstars that I forgot what I just came from. By the end of the draft, I had a feeling of guilt.

“It’s supposed to be Easter weekend! Now, I can’t stop thinking about 1B and top prospects!”

So I laid in bed. Baseball thoughts flooded my mind.

“Fight it off, fight it off! Tomorrow is Easter! Do you know what Easter is!?”

And I remembered the chorus of the Special Praise song:

King of all the earth, Our God lifted up, Most high and worthy of all praise!

This is the day of hope. This is the day that victory was assured! This is a day dedicated to the one who gave it all! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! It’s Easter and it’s all about Jesus! This day is about the great God that I believe in, who He is, what He can do, what He has DONE!

Who can save us? God can!!

And I got excited.

And I’m so glad, Jose Reyes didn’t steal my Easter.

Psalm 84:10

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

This verse was actually one of my “favorite” verses growing up through Youth Group. Last summer, before I went to Japan, I went to a home church prayer meeting and we prayed through Psalm 84. How was I supposed to know that verse 10 would come in handy a few weeks later?

Towards the end of my time in Osaka, I realized that I might not have done as much as other members of the team. They all seemed to have their roles and jobs set, but what was I doing? Was I being used at all? (I didn’t even get to share my testimony on the field! Everyone shares their testimony on the field!) At one point I became rather insecure and fervently tried to rewrite my testimony to make it more moving or more relatable, but ultimately I sought recognition and a sense of ownership.

Then in the midst of my insecurity, I came upon that Psalm again. This Psalm writer has got it right. He would rather be a doorkeeper in the courts of God than live it up elsewhere. I reflected upon my attitude at that time and this verse really hit me. Surely, I could’ve “had my heart fed” if I stayed on campus or helped out at Youth Group back home, but I would not trade my time in Japan for anything! This lesson was invaluable. Simply being a part of God’s work and a part of something bigger than myself felt like an undeserved privilege again. I would be the team janitor if I could do it for the Lord. If I believe that my God is who he says he is, then he is worth it!

Wherever I am, I have to remember that it is not my job or what I do that is important. Is my heart a Psalm 84 heart? Am I loving God? Can I simply and prayerfully support those around me? Is my God worth it?