"Maybe I Shouldn't Have Come?" (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

When I was a child, I played baseball until I was 11 years old. I was an average player but loved playing the game. One day, a classmate from school asked if he could attend one of my games. It was against a team that we had a reasonably good chance of beating and I agreed, thinking that I could impress him in a good winning setting.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The game began with my first time at bat. I was usually the lead off batter and I promptly went down in a strikeout. But I was unfazed, confident that I would later get a good hit. The pitcher was not very intimidating and his fastball was hardly that. Nope. I struck out four times that day.

But my lack of offensive prowess was the least of my concerns. My defensive fielding, usually the strongest part of my game, also let me down. I was playing second base and an easy ground ball was hit in my direction. I bent down to snatch it up, as I had successfully done so many times in the past, except this time, it scurried right through my legs. Another play was an easy pop fly, but I stumbled and dropped the ball. Finally, I overthrew the first baseman blowing an easy out. It was the worst game I had every played.

Seeking to ease my obvious disgust, my classmate turned to me at the end of the game and said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have come?”

Maybe. I was distracted, seeking to impress my classmate rather than concentrating on doing what I was there to do. My motives were selfish and I paid a price. The painful memory reminds me that at times, in my Christian walk, I seek to impress others rather than seeking to serve God. I may lead a worship service and play a fancy lick on my guitar, only to impress other musicians. I may lead a Bible study and include an obscure reference to impress the scholarly saints in the group. Sadly, I still have not learned my lessons from childhood.

...but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)

All of my actions need to be focused upon pleasing God rather than man. I cannot serve two masters. Regardless of the outcome, if my efforts are dedicated to God, He will bless me.

Maybe my friend shouldn’t have come? No, the problem was with me, not him. Thanks be to God that He still is transforming me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.