Saints in the Outfield

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28: 18-20

“…For I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep”

___Robert Frost

On New Years Day 2004 I had the pleasure of watching the movie Angles in the Outfield starring Danny Glover and Tony Danza with my two daughters. This quality time gave me another opportunity to impart into their spirits some Biblical truths and some family values. They loved the movie and their hearts were made glad when they found out that Danny Glover who played the baseball team coach in the movie prevailed despite his past failures, his hang-ups, his bitterness and his antagonist. Just like the angels who were on assignment in this movie to make sure lives were changed and saved and hope was given and made not ashamed, I began to wonder what our world would be like if the Saints of God would get into the outfield.

Many of us have heard The Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20). The work the apostles had to do was to set up the Christian religion in all places. By doing so they would be establishing the Kingdom of heaven on earth and doing battle against the enemy throughout the earth. Not only did the Lord give them this commission but also inside of the commission were the instructions for getting it done. He also promised them favor by being a very present help. Many believers say they accept this commission but there is much dereliction of duty. Many will not go because the church leaders will not go. The big religious lie the enemy has blinded so many church leaders with is the false definition of what leadership really is. Leadership is servitude. Servitude is leadership. Leadership is not obtaining a title and having the power to tell others what to do and reaping the benefits of it all while others lie in waste and ruin. Leadership is not a haughty look, bad manners and a character that reeks so badly until the world would rather stay in their sins than bare the pains of the dominance of a selfish, Narcisstic criminal. Great leaders manage things and they lead people. They equip their followers for the work, for a greater work, rather than try to keep them boxed in or suppressed. Great leaders are great servers! Just follow the Bible throughout the life of Jesus Christ.

Our World history is full of remnant stories of leaders both small and great; both ethical and unethical. We, as leaders, learn from the best and we learn from the worst. A glimpse of the worst always magnifies the appreciation of the best. In my childhood, Mother Teresa was exemplified as one of the best female leaders of our times and today her name is at the top of my mental marquee of great leaders. Once upon a time I desired to be just like her. I want to spend my Christian life doing the work of missions. I had a vision of obtaining my doctorial degree in medicine and living the rest of my days in a foreign country doing missions. I could see myself in my simple, yellow sundress, my straw hat and bare feet going to the next shanty to deliver a baby or to hold the head of a dying, aged man as he talked to God inhaling and exhaling his last breaths on earth. I had it all figured out back then. I didn’t know life was so full of constant change, discipline and challenges. If I will ever lay hands in the slums of Calcutta I do not know. I do know that I have my own mission in life and there are many things that belonged to Mother Teresa that I long to inherit. From her personal relationship with God to her charismatic way and favor with man, this historical leader will always be a household name of love, compassion and courage.

Love, compassion, and courage: what would happen if born again believers everywhere moved out in love, compassion and courage in the spirit of the Great Commission? What would happen if spirit-filled believers moved out of their comfort zones and their places of idol worship to really glorify God with their lifestyle instead of offering the Lord random or selective acts of service?

Inside of you is the power to change lives, the potential to really make a difference in the life of someone else, thus making a difference in a family, a community, then a city or territory and then a nation. If each one would strive to reach one and teach one, then we would put a chokehold on the forces of evil that grows with each generational curse. Today, if you harden not your heart, you can change a life for the better. You don’t have to try to reach everyone, just minister to those in your view.

I was sitting in a one-on-one business meeting and in the mist of the meeting the male I was meeting with said to me “Audra, you can’t save the whole world.” I knew Lucifer himself was talking to me. I told him, “I’m not trying to save the whole world. Jesus died to save the whole world; I’m just trying to save those in my view and my view is wherever the Lord takes me.” He quickly put his head down and went on with the agenda items of our meeting.

Don’t let anyone deter you from working in the Lord’s vineyard. Your vineyard may be in your home, across the street, at work or in another country. It is our Lord and Savior who gave the Great Commission and it is He who will award you greatly. Double for your trouble! Don’t worry about if those he send you to will receive you, just trust and obey. The Lord will award you greatly. If you are not received or treated kindly, just shake the dust off and move on to your next assignment when the Lord tells you to. Don’t move until He tells you for your very presence is ministry. It was Noah who had the favor of God upon his life. Every person and every creature in the ark with him was spared from the flood. When it’s time to move on, move on knowing you have done the will of Him who sent you and He will reward you far beyond what you can ask or think.

He that has an ear let him hear. The Lord is soon to come. He is coming for the small and the great. Today, you are encouraged to seek the Lord with all your heart and to heed his every command. He only wants to bless you! Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded (II Chronicles 15:7).

Go with God!

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