Atlantic District Publications

Letters from the President - Eye on Ball

June 2, 2010 at 12:21 PM

Some of my enjoyable private moments are spent on some underused park land in Queens shagging a few nine irons from baseball diamond to baseball diamond. There I am a legend in my own mind as the shots soar majestically toward the dirt infield at second base, and I WIN THE US OPEN!!! These fantasies are stopped cold whenever I take my eye off the ball, because then the shot weaves off into the deep grass like a wounded duck.

June is a month of keeping the eye on the ball for many of us – the overwhelming amount of activities and the good weather conspire to bring about near-constant motion – graduations, weddings, ordinations, installations, baptisms, Father’s Day, end-of-school, start of summer school, baccalaureates, Little League – you name it, we’re going to or coming from it.

In the Church’s season of Trinity/Pentecost, we’re plunged into the life and ministry of Jesus and the discerning leading of the Holy Spirit all at once. And the two are intimately related. We want to follow Jesus – we are disciples. But we are not called to a lonely journey. Our fellow believers are there with us and for us on the road. We can listen for the voice of the Spirit in prayer and in conversation. And we’re encouraged to keep our eye on the ball, to make decisions and plans with the preeminent object of following God’s holy will.

This month we will announce our District Ablaze Grant awardees – there will be great excitement and joy as new endeavors are undertaken. What I’m pleased to note in the applications is how carefully our congregations and pastors are keeping their eye on the ball – keeping first things first in their ministries of the Gospel.

Last month, as I journeyed to visit my ailing 98 year old mom and missed the pastoral conference, I was reminded by many that my priority needed to be with her. As I’ve heard the near-unanimous highly positive reports of the pastoral conference, it’s clear to me that the discernment of the Spirit and the conversation with fellow-travelers produced a Godly decision. The time with my brother, sister and mom on my birthday was precious to all of us. Keep your eye on the ball by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit this summer!