I came across this picture the other day.

I thought it was funny at first but then I started to think a lot about it. Here we have a “no name” ball player for the Cardinals organization. He’s probably worked very hard since he was a kid to get to this moment, to see his name in lights, to play ball on tv, and this is what happens. It’s probably not the way he wanted it to be. But then I think about the fact that he is on third base. He’s put in the time during practice to prepare himself for this game. While he remains unknown, he is making an impact for his team. It’s the top of the 9th inning, the score is tied, two outs, and he’s in scoring position. He could very well help his team win this game. Minor League Guy…

Without trying to be super spiritual here, I think we need more unknown people who make a big impact for the Kingdom of God than superstar christians. Certainly there are people who are elevated in the general public because of their gifts and abilities. I’m not talking about those guys. I’m talking about the folks who desire fame   while using Jesus as the vehicle to get there.

I think it’s more than ok to be a Gospel preaching force yet be completely unknown to the rest of the world. I see it all the time with missionaries. I see people making huge differences in their communities yet remain unknown.

Here at Hickory Grove, we have a Decision Tree that helps us prioritize the decisions we make. There are 4 “filters” in this process. The last one is “What’s best for me”. We put what’s best for us individually last in the list of priorities when it comes to our church. It’s not that we don’t matter. It’s about putting what’s best for the organization before ourselves.

All of this might have been a stretch. But if for nothing else, it challenges me to make an impact for the Lord and not worry about recognition from man…

-Malloy-