How can I just walk away
Walking away from a Sovereign God, who could do this after experiencing His true love? While pondering this subject, I’m reminded of Michael Jordan’s short lived baseball career. The Bulls had won three championships in a row in the early 90’s and then, out of nowhere, Jordan decides to quit and play baseball (Many of the younger readers may not even be aware of this).
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan shocked the sports world when he announced his retirement. How could he have walked away from the game that had given him so much? He must have done this because he felt fulfilled, to a certain degree, with his basketball career. Although I respected his decision to try something that was a childhood passion of his, there was just something askew about watching the greatest basketball player of all time bat .202 with the Birmingham Barons.
The whole time Jordan was away, people were just longing for him to come back. Being a Sixers fan, I had personally hoped he stay in Minor League Baseball forever, but as a basketball fan, I couldn’t wait for him to come back. I remember watching him swing a baseball bat and thinking, this guy is not doing what he is called to do.
On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA through a two-word press release: “I’m back.” The next day, Jordan donned jersey number 45 (his number with the Barons).* Although he only scored 19 points (11 points below his career average), it was immediately known that he was back doing what he was meant to do, play basketball!
As a Youth Pastor I see a story like this play out all the time in the lives of young people, without the Nike and Gatorade contracts. Sadly enough though, just like Michael Jordon couldn’t hear me say “What are you thinking?”, many times neither can the youth that God has placed in my life, even though they’re only 2 feet away.
I cannot express how much it bothers my heart to see a young girl who my wife and I have poured so much into, begin dating a moron. She is usually a sweet girl who has no idea of the ill intentions that a fox has. Even more importantly than the pain of my heart, are the tears that are running down the cheeks of her Creator’s face.
Someone raised in Holy Spirit fire, but now seeking after the strange warmth of the world is another infirmity that my stomach cannot handle. I cannot bear to watch an individual who once looked UP to me, now look AWAY from me, someone who at one time spoke in the tongues of angels and at present is only a resounding gong.
Just like Michael Jordan was not living in his calling, many young people are forsaking their calling and following passions that they were not created for. I could go on and on with this subject, but instead I will look up to where their help comes and seek the stone that these builders have rejected on their behalf. There is no love like the love of the Father. It is a love that handles rejection with grace and open arms.
*Taken from Wikipedia
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