Holy WeekIsampula

It was the bottom of the seventh inning in game two of a double-header that determined who would advance to the state tournament. Our second baseman led off with a double, and I was up to bat. As a freshman, this was the biggest game I’d ever played. I was nervous, hands shaking, and filled with anxiety as the record crowd cheered. Sensing my meltdown, our head coach called time and waved me over to the 3rd base coach's box. He said, “Isn’t this great? Look at the scoreboard. Listen to the crowd! What a moment. This is what we’re here for. This is what it’s all about. You know what to do. Go do it!”

At that moment, he called me back to purpose. The crowd faded away, the anxiety turned to thankfulness, and the pressure subsided. First pitch fastball, I laid down a bunt to the third-base side. Not trying to brag, but it was perfect. The third baseman overthrew the ball, and our second baseman rounded third to score the winning run. The crowd exploded and we were state bound!

Thinking back on that moment I can’t help but smile at the brilliance of my coach. With a million things happening around me, he was able to bring me back to the only thing that mattered.

Jesus enters Bethany on a colt to crowds cheering, people chanting His praises, and a group of Greeks want to meet with Him. Imagine the chaos of the moment. Yet only John records for us a “third base coach's box” conversation Jesus has with Phillip and Andrew regarding His purpose. He reminds them, “Now is the time for the Son of Man to enter into His glory.” Then Jesus uses the illustration of a kernel of wheat going into the soil and dying, only to produce a harvest. He finishes off the parable in verse thirty-two as He makes it personal, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

In a moment of chaos and distraction, Jesus simply reminds His followers, “This is great, but it won’t distract from my purpose.”

As we approach Easter weekend I can’t think of a better reminder. Don’t let the chaos and crowds distract you from your purpose. God has a plan for you, even if your surrounding disagrees. Be purposeful today!