perfect scoring conditions

Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68 Sing to God, O kingdom of the earth; John 17:1-11

Words of St. Paul, "But now compelled by the Holy SPirit, I am going to Jerusalem.  What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy SPirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace."

How often have we misunderstood our call to discipleship?  How often have we thought following Jesus was primarily about us and the feelings we get when we are close?  How often have we lost sight of the goal?


St. PAul reminds us, exhorts us, warns us as to what is at stake when we hitch our will to the will of God in Christ Jesus.


To bear witness to God's grace is the task at hand.  Yet, hardships may be the vehicle by which the witness is revealed.

There is no fine print when it comes to following Christ, as many presume, that demands little hardships, no suffering or pain, an easy path of fame and good times.

There is only commitment, discipline, integrity, handwork, perseverance, and glory given to God by the one who walks in the wake of Christ.

Suffering and pain may be part of the mission.  We must be willing to witness through all conditions, not just when we think the conditions are right.

Often times, I joke with a friend of mine when we get the opportunity to play a little gold, chasing that white little ball, that it is perfect scoring conditions.  Because we both enjoy the game, we say that it is perfect scoring conditions regardless of the weather whether, raining, cold, windy, sunny, it doesn't matter, all times and all conditions are the right setting.

Such it is when it comes to witnessing to the gospel of God's grace.

It is always perfect scoring conditions.

It any condition, with JEsus at our side, it is always birdie time.