Jesus said, For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also. Matthew 18:20
A couple of weeks ago during the first two games of our church league softball season, I kept finding myself grinning. I was not only having extreme fun, but, at some point, I realized I was in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ
You see, one of the things I really dont like about myself is that I am incredibly competitive. People around church and town may have heard me say I havent played (name the sport) in 20 years. There is a reason for that. When I am playing sports, I can feel myself change. I feel almost an anger bubbling up in me. I feel my face transform into a Jack Dempsey scowl and all politeness, compassion and Christian love get buried in my psyche.
Anything from cards with our Tuesday afternoon bridge group, to chess with my son, Chuck; from pick-up basketball with the youth group, to a simple round of golf and I transform. My late father simply refused to ever play golf with me, saying something to the effect of I was not pleasant to be around on the course.
I dont like that competitive guy, and so I make a lot of excuses not to participate. Then when I do take part in an activity, I try my best to hide that nasty dude from view.
I was actually dreading the start of our church softball season. I was talked into playing, but I was worried about my attitude once the game started. I was worried that I hadnt actually played a regulation game of ball in 20 years. I had not swung at a pitched softball in nearly a quarter century. I was just worried.
Once I got on the field, at second base a left-handed second baseman I was really worried. Because I am left-handed, I had literally not played on the infield since elementary school. I just knew I was going to embarrass myself, and I did several times. At those times, I felt ol Jack Dempsey emerge from deep within, but thought I was hiding him.
As the evening wore on and we went into the second game of our doubleheader, I kept finding myself standing out at second actually smiling. I looked at our fans, including Gerry Brunk, Rita Gorsuch, Ron Kimmi, Ed, Marlene, Shelli, Mark Duran, and kids Lyric, Seth, Ian, Chuck and others, and I would just smile. It was so cool to hear them cheer for me when I was batting so incompetently.
Will DeMars, our first baseman, and I were visiting between pitches. I was actually laughing at some of our most silly plays. I swelled with pride as my son Matt hustled, and hustled some more in leftfield. I stood in awe as Derique, Elijah Duran, and Terry Dee Gorsuch winged that ball all over the field. I was impressed as Alisa Oliver and Megan DeMars sped around the outfield and the bases. I got a kick out of our battery (pitcher and catcher) Kim Nofel and Michelle Butler making silly comments. I even found myself trying to listen in as our captains John Thompson and Bill Fraser visited on the bench.
I just kept grinning.
I was even chatting up the opposing base runners outrageous behavior for me.
Jesus said, For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also. Matthew 18:20
It isnt just during official gatherings for worship that Jesus is present among us; it is when Christians gather to enjoy, be together, laugh, and fellowship in the sanctuary, fellowship hall, picnic grounds, ball field, in the mission field or anywhere.
I think I kept grinning because at some point I realized Christ was present and in the faces of all those gathered for a doubleheader. Psalm 134 and the prayer that follows it in the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship apply in our church buildings and at the ballpark.
Before you finish these thoughts with the psalm and prayer, there is a quick epilogue to the doubleheader. After showers, Tylenol, and folding ourselves into our recliners, my wife Kim chuckled and said one of our teammates asked if I was competitive. Kim chuckled again and said she answered, He just gets mad at himself.
I guess I didnt hide ol Jack Dempsey as well as I thought. I just hope he has gone away for the rest of the season.
Psalm 134
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord;
The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Lord,
Where two or three gather in your name,
you promise to be with them.
Look upon your family gathered in your name,
and graciously pour out your blessing upon us;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rev. Steve Nofel is co-pastor of Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church. This column appears the fourth Saturday of every month.