Picture this….Game 2 of the World Series….Bottom of the 6th inning.

The St. Louis pitcher is 22 year-old Michael Wacha who has been dominating the Boston batters for 5 innings. But he walks Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz comes to bat. With two strikes on him he hits a line drive to left field that barely clears the wall, called the “Green Monster”, for a home run and the Red Sox go ahead 2 to 0. YES!

But it wasn’t enough. The Cardinals eventually scored two more runs and won the game 4 to 2. Big Papi gave his all, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.

Sometimes life is like that, our best effort does not seem to be enough. Games are lost, plans go amiss, projects fail, we lose our way. In the way the world judges, we don’t succeed.

I’m thinking however, that God sees things differently. The dedication we bring to the work we do in God’s name, our unselfish efforts and our commitment to lead a life of Christ’s calling will make it possible for him to use our efforts to bring comfort and justice to a troubled world.

David Ortiz’s efforts didn’t win this game, as he has helped to win others, but it did show us an outstanding athlete’s ability, focus and dedication to his craft. He provided us with drama and enjoyment and what he did may influence how his manager and the other team’s manager strategize future games. And for a while, he gave us Red Sox fans hope.

With dedication, unselfish efforts and commitment, I think we can be a people that God can use to bring comfort and justice to a needy world. I think God can use us to bring hope to a world that too often does not experience hope.

MY VISION FOR FAITH UMC

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.”

My vision for FAITH: to be a community of hope in the world.

Our mission: to bring hope to those we can reach, one person, one family at a time, through the words and works of Jesus Christ using prayer, community and compassionate service.

And how do we make these our vision and our mission? Hear the words of this hymn.

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages for Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect; and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord I pour, At thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself and I will be ,  Ever, only, all for Thee.

–Thomas R. Havergal

“Every kind word is a seed of hope. Every act of mercy sows hope. Every moment of teaching and learning is a path toward hope.”